Genetic correlation and response to selection in simulated populations

Summary One of two quantitative traits was selected and correlated response in the other trait was measured in each of 30 generations for models of additive genes and of complete dominance. Each trait was controlled by 48 loci with equal effects, segregating independently from frequencies of 0.5 in the initial generation. Intensity of selection regulated the number of offspring from randomly mating 24 males and 24 females each generation. Three each of genetic correlations between traits, intensities of selection, and amounts of environmental variation were simulated.In the additive model correlated responses of the unselected trait to selection of the primary trait agreed closely with responses expected from theoretical considerations. In the model of complete dominance, responses of genotypic means of the unselected trait to selection of the primary trait in opposite directions were quite symmetrical for the first few generations but became distinctly asymmetrical in later generations. With little selection, response was fairly linear but became distinctly curvilinear as intensity of selection increased and environmental variance decreased. Between 15th and 30th generations some gains in the correlated trait to the 15th generation were lost.Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Article 4847. Part of North Central Regional Project NC-2.