Thsi quote is from the paper
In conclusion, previous studies of microsatellite flanking sequences have identified several features, including a tendency to harbour other microsatellites, a locally increased mutation rate, and, conversely, conservation over unexpectedly large tracts of evolutionary time. Our analyses support all these trends and provide a possible resolution for the apparent contradiction between faster evolution but at the same time greater sequence conservation.
My impressions are as follows:
The biggest effect appears to be an overall trend towards conservation of sequences - so differences would tend to be preserved rather than being overwhelmed by "convergent" changes.
Given that the microsatellite placement (and the sequence of the microsatellite itself) would have to be similar for genuine convergence. I don't see much room for significant convergence between organisms that were not already very similar genetically. Species might tend to stay "in step" after an evolutionary branchpoint but that should just cause the branchpoint to be placed a little later than it actually occurred.
(Added in edit)
And since it seems to be non-coding DNA any effects will be limited to recent divergences because non-coding DNA is not sufficiently conserved to be used in the study of anything else
This message has been edited by PaulK, 06-23-2005 02:36 PM
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