Allele frequency estimates when only heterozygotes can be recognized: method of estimation and application in the...

A general method to estimate allele frequencies when there are more than two alleles segregating in an autosomal and only the heterozygotes can be identified is presented. The particular three allele case is detailed and the method is applied to chromosomal inversion data of Drosophila mediopunctata. The estimates from egg sample data are compared with those from adult male sample data. No significant differences were found between the two methods. However, the combined use of both data unveiled significant variations in the frequencies of inversions at different collecting times, that otherwise would not have been detected. Furthermore, the method is applied to data on inversion frequencies of D. nebulosa, D. willistoni and D. flavopilosa.