A method for the estimation of gene flow parameters from a population structure caused by restricted gene flow and genetic drift |
| |
Authors: | H. Van Dijk |
| |
Affiliation: | (1) Department of Genetics, University of Groningen, Kerklaan 30, NL-9751 NN Haren, The Netherlands |
| |
Abstract: | Summary A method has been developed which enables the estimation of the plant gene flow parameters p (pollen dispersal), s (seed dispersal) and t (outcrossing rate) from a selection-free continuously structured population in equilibrium. The method uses Wright's F-coefficients and introduces a new F-function which describes the genetic similarity as a function of the spatial distance. The method has been elaborated for wind pollinated plant species but can be modified for insect pollination and for animal species. In practice allozymes will provide for the necessary neutral genetic variation. The more loci used and the more intermediate the gene frequencies, the more reliable the results. For the estimation of p and t together (when the outcrossing rate is not known) at least two chromosomally unlinked loci are required. The method for estimating s depends on whether the plant species is annual or perennial. The mechanism of selfing has been analysed by the explanation of the value of t by three components: population density (d), pollen flow (p) and relative fertilization potential of own pollen (Z). The concepts of neighbourhood size and isolation by distance, developed by Wright, who used a single gene flow parameter , have been extended to the situation which is realistic for seed plants, using all three parameters p, s and t. When p is large with respect to s, s largely determines the value of the neighbourhood size, whereas p is the most dominating factor in isolation by distance. The use of local effective population size and mean gene transport per generation instead of neighbourhood size and neighbourhood area, respectively, is proposed to avoid confusion. Computer simulations have been carried out to check the validity and the reliability of the method. Populations of 200 plants, using two or three loci with intermediate allele frequencies, gave good results in the calculation of p with known value of t and of s and Ne. With unknown t, especially with lower values of t, larger populations of at least 1,000 plants are necessary to obtain reasonably accurate results for p and mean gene transport per generation M.Grassland Species Research Group Publication No. 81 |
| |
Keywords: | Gene flow Genetic neighbourhood Mathematical model Computer simulation |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|