Multilocus estimation of pairwise relatedness with dominant markers

Area of Science:

• Population genetics
• Quantitative genetics
• Molecular ecology

Background:

• Estimating genetic relatedness is crucial for understanding population structure and evolutionary processes.
• Dominant markers are widely used in genetic studies, but estimating relatedness from them presents challenges.
• Existing methods may not fully capture the complex genetic relationships between individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop novel estimators for pairwise genetic relatedness and fraternity using dominant markers.
• To account for the full genetic structure at a diploid locus with dominance.
• To extend these estimators to scenarios of zero fraternity and inbreeding (isolation by distance).

Main Methods:

• Derivation of estimators based on a genetic model for pairwise relatedness at a diploid locus with dominance.
• Joint estimation of relatedness and fraternity, requiring multilocus data with differing gene frequencies.
• Examination of estimator properties through simulation studies.
• Comparison with existing estimators, such as that of Hardy.

Main Results:

• The developed estimators jointly estimate relatedness and fraternity, inherently requiring multilocus data.
• Statistical power for pairwise relatedness estimation is maximized when approximately 50% of individuals exhibit the recessive phenotype.
• The study provides extensions for zero fraternity and isolation by distance scenarios.
• The estimation procedures are implemented in the "mark" computer program.

Conclusions:

• The new estimators provide a robust framework for assessing pairwise relatedness and fraternity from dominant markers.
• The findings highlight the importance of marker and phenotype frequencies for accurate genetic relatedness estimation.
• The "mark" program facilitates the application of these advanced estimation techniques in population genetic studies.