Which locus is most likely to be in linkage disequilibrium with the mutation?

Linkage disequilibrium refers to a non-random association of alleles at two or more loci. When considering which locus is most likely to be in linkage disequilibrium with a mutation, the key factor is the physical proximity of the loci on a chromosome.

The locus that is closest to the mutation is likely to be the one that is in linkage disequilibrium with it because alleles that are near each other on the same chromosome tend to be inherited together during meiosis. This is due to the reduced likelihood of recombination events occurring between closely situated loci. The closer two loci are to each other, the higher the probability that they will be inherited as a block, preserving the association between the alleles of those loci.

In contrast, loci that are farther away from the mutation may experience more recombination, which can break down any linkage disequilibrium that may have existed. Furthermore, loci on different chromosomes are inherited independently according to Mendel's laws, meaning there is no direct linkage or association between them. Therefore, the locus closest to the mutation has the greatest likelihood of remaining in linkage disequilibrium with it.