DETSEL: an R-package to detect marker loci responding to selection

Area of Science:

• Population Genomics
• Molecular Evolution
• Bioinformatics

Background:

• Population genomics employs genome scans to differentiate genome-wide from locus-specific genetic effects.
• Accurate identification of neutral and selected genomic regions is crucial for inferring population demography and evolutionary history.
• Detecting locus-specific effects aids in identifying genes under natural selection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce the updated DETSEL software package for identifying markers deviating from neutral expectations in population comparisons.
• To enhance the capability of detecting natural selection by incorporating new analytical features.
• To provide a robust tool for population geneticists studying evolutionary processes.

Main Methods:

• The study details improvements to the DETSEL software, now available as an R package.
• Key enhancements include the analysis of dominant genetic markers.
• Implementation of empirical P-value estimation for robust statistical inference.

Main Results:

• The revised DETSEL R package offers expanded functionality for population genetic analyses.
• Support for dominant markers broadens the applicability of the software to a wider range of genetic data.
• Empirical P-value estimation provides more accurate assessments of statistical significance.

Conclusions:

• The updated DETSEL R package is a valuable tool for identifying signatures of natural selection in population genomic data.
• The new features improve the reliability and scope of analyses aimed at understanding population demography and evolution.
• This software facilitates the distinction between neutral genomic regions and those under selection.