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Updated: Aug 5, 2026
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Observation and Quantification of Mating Behavior in the Pinewood Nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus
Published on: December 25, 2016
A Bayesian model for assessing the frequency of multiple mating in nature
B D Neff1, T E Pitcher, J Repka
1Department of Biology, Biological & Geological Sciences Building, University of Western Ontario, London N6A 5B7, Ontario, Canada. bneff@uwo.ca
The Journal of Heredity
|March 19, 2003
Summary
A new Bayes
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Behavioral ecology
- Population genetics
Background:
- Multiple mating is common in nature.
- Detecting multiple mating is possible with molecular markers.
- Existing models struggle to accurately assess multiple mating frequency from genetic data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel statistical model for estimating the frequency of multiple mating (f(mm)).
- To provide a precise method for calculating f(mm) using limited genetic data.
- To incorporate biological data and potential errors into the model for increased accuracy.
Main Methods:
- A single-sex model based on Bayes' rule was developed.
- The model incorporates the number of loci, alleles, offspring, and genetic parents.
- Two genetic criteria were evaluated: multiple alleles per locus and total haplotypes per brood.
Main Results:
- The model accurately estimates the frequency of multiple mating (f(mm)).
- Estimates are most precise when considering broods with three or more paternal (or maternal) alleles at a locus.
- Incorporating mutations or typing errors is crucial to avoid overestimating f(mm).
Conclusions:
- The developed model offers a robust method for quantifying multiple mating frequency.
- The model's accuracy is enhanced by integrating genetic data with biological observations.
- Application to Kemp's Ridley sea turtles suggests larger clutches correlate with higher rates of multiple paternity.
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