Estimators for QST and coalescence times. Issue 21 (5th October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Weaver, Timothy D.
• Is Part Of: Ecology and evolution. Volume 6:Issue 21(2016:Nov.)
• Page Start: 7783
• Page End: 7786
• Publication Date: 2016-10-05
• Subjects: FST -- genetic differentiation -- neutral evolution -- phenotype -- quantitative genetics; Ecology -- Periodicals; Evolution -- Periodicals; 577.05
• DOI: 10.1002/ece3.2522
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2045-7758

Abstract

Abstract: Comparisons of Q ST to F ST can provide insights into the evolutionary processes that lead to differentiation, or lack thereof, among the phenotypes of different groups (e.g., populations, species), and these comparisons have been performed on a variety of taxa, including humans. Here, I show that for neutrally evolving (i.e., by genetic drift, mutation, and gene flow alone) quantitative characters, the two commonly used Q ST estimators have somewhat different interpretations in terms of coalescence times, particularly when the number of groups that have been sampled is small. A similar situation occurs for F ST estimators. Consequently, when observations come from only a small number of groups, which is not an unusual situation, it is important to match estimators appropriately when comparing Q ST to F ST . Abstract : The main purpose of the manuscript is to show that two commonly used Q ST estimators have somewhat different interpretations in terms of coalescence times. Because a similar situation occurs for F ST estimators, it is important to match estimators appropriately when comparing Q ST to F ST .