Mathematical models for the evolution of multigene families by unequal crossing over.

Mathematical models of homologous but unequal crossing over between sister chromatids are presented. For mispairing by one repeat, the evolution of a multigene family by unequal crossing over can be represented by a linear birth-death process. The fixation rate of one repeat in a multigene family is estimated. For mispairing by more than one repeat, some approximate results are obtained.