scholarly journals Evolution of genetic variability in a spatially heterogeneous environment: effects of genotype–environment interaction

1987 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Via ◽  
Russell Lande
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variability ◽  
Genetic Correlation ◽  
Genetic Variance ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Covariance Structure ◽  
Genetic Models ◽  
Quantitative Character ◽  
Disruptive Selection ◽  
Environment Interaction ◽  
The Mean

SummaryClassical population genetic models show that disruptive selection in a spatially variable environment can maintain genetic variation. We present quantitative genetic models for the effects of disruptive selection between environments on the genetic covariance structure of a polygenic trait. Our models suggest that disruptive selection usually does not alter the equilibrium genetic variance, although transient changes are predicted. We view a quantitative character as a set of character states, each expressed in one environment. The genetic correlation between character states expressed in different environments strongly affects the evolution of the genetic variability. (1) If the genetic correlation between character states is not ± 1, then the mean phenotype expressed in each environment will eventually attain the optimum value for that environment; this is the evolution of phenotypic plasticity (Via & Lande, 1985). At the joint phenotypic optimum, there is no disruptive selection between environments and thus no increase in the equilibrium genetic variability over that maintained by a balance between mutation and stabilizing selection within each environment. (2) If, however, the genetic correlation between character states is ± 1, the mean phenotype will not evolve to the joint phenotypic optimum and a persistent force of disruptive selection between environments will increase the equilibrium genetic variance. (3) Numerical analyses of the dynamic equations indicate that the mean phenotype can usually be perturbed several phenotypic standard deviations from the optimum without producing transient changes of more than a few per cent in the genetic variances or correlations. It may thus be reasonable to assume a roughly constant covariance structure during phenotypic evolution unless genetic correlations among character states are extremely high or populations are frequently perturbed. (4) Transient changes in the genetic correlations between character states resulting from disruptive selection act to constrain the evolution of the mean phenotype rather than to facilitate it.

Genetic and statistical analyses of strong selection on polygenic traits: what, me normal?

Genetics ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 138 (3) ◽  
pp. 913-941 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Turelli ◽  
N H Barton
Keyword(s):  
Allele Frequency ◽  
Genetic Variance ◽  
Gaussian Approximation ◽  
Selection Response ◽  
Disruptive Selection ◽  
Breeding Values ◽  
Central Moments ◽  
Linkage Disequilibria ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Frequency Changes

Abstract We develop a general population genetic framework for analyzing selection on many loci, and apply it to strong truncation and disruptive selection on an additive polygenic trait. We first present statistical methods for analyzing the infinitesimal model, in which offspring breeding values are normally distributed around the mean of the parents, with fixed variance. These show that the usual assumption of a Gaussian distribution of breeding values in the population gives remarkably accurate predictions for the mean and the variance, even when disruptive selection generates substantial deviations from normality. We then set out a general genetic analysis of selection and recombination. The population is represented by multilocus cumulants describing the distribution of haploid genotypes, and selection is described by the relation between mean fitness and these cumulants. We provide exact recursions in terms of generating functions for the effects of selection on non-central moments. The effects of recombination are simply calculated as a weighted sum over all the permutations produced by meiosis. Finally, the new cumulants that describe the next generation are computed from the non-central moments. Although this scheme is applied here in detail only to selection on an additive trait, it is quite general. For arbitrary epistasis and linkage, we describe a consistent infinitesimal limit in which the short-term selection response is dominated by infinitesimal allele frequency changes and linkage disequilibria. Numerical multilocus results show that the standard Gaussian approximation gives accurate predictions for the dynamics of the mean and genetic variance in this limit. Even with intense truncation selection, linkage disequilibria of order three and higher never cause much deviation from normality. Thus, the empirical deviations frequently found between predicted and observed responses to artificial selection are not caused by linkage-disequilibrium-induced departures from normality. Disruptive selection can generate substantial four-way disequilibria, and hence kurtosis; but even then, the Gaussian assumption predicts the variance accurately. In contrast to the apparent simplicity of the infinitesimal limit, data suggest that changes in genetic variance after 10 or more generations of selection are likely to be dominated by allele frequency dynamics that depend on genetic details.

scholarly journals Potential exists to change, through breeding, the yield of individual primal carcass cuts in cattle without increasing overall carcass weight1

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (7) ◽  
pp. 2769-2779 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle M Judge ◽  
Thierry Pabiou ◽  
Jessica Murphy ◽  
Stephen B Conroy ◽  
P J Hegarty ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Genetic Variability ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Carcass Weight ◽  
High Heritability ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Estimated Breeding Values ◽  
Coefficient Of Genetic Variation ◽  
Selection Of ◽  
Carcass Cuts

Abstract The ability to alter the morphology of cattle towards greater yields of higher value primal cuts has the potential to increase the value of animals at slaughter. Using weight records of 14 primal cuts from 31,827 cattle, the objective of the present study was to quantify the extent of genetic variability in these primal cuts; also of interest was the degree of genetic variability in the primal cuts adjusted to a common carcass weight. Variance components were estimated for each primal cut using animal linear mixed models. The coefficient of genetic variation in the different primal cuts ranged from 0.05 (bavette) to 0.10 (eye of round) with a mean coefficient of genetic variation of 0.07. When phenotypically adjusted to a common carcass weight, the coefficient of genetic variation of the primal cuts was lesser ranging from 0.02 to 0.07 with a mean of 0.04. The heritability of the 14 primal cuts ranged from 0.14 (bavette) to 0.75 (topside) with a mean heritability across all cuts of 0.48; the heritability estimates reduced, and ranged from 0.12 (bavette) to 0.56 (topside), when differences in carcass weight were accounted for in the statistical model. Genetic correlations between each primal cut and carcass weight were all ≥0.77; genetic correlations between each primal cut and carcass conformation score were, on average, 0.59 but when adjusted to a common carcass weight, the correlations weakened to, on average, 0.27. The genetic correlations among all 14 primal cut weights was, on average, strong (mean correlation of 0.72 with all correlations being ≥0.37); when adjusted to a common carcass weight, the mean of the genetic correlations among all primal cuts was 0.10. The ability of estimated breeding values for a selection of primal cuts to stratify animals phenotypically on the respective cut weight was demonstrated; the weight of the rump, striploin, and fillet of animals estimated to be in the top 25% genetically for the respective cut, were 10 to 24%, 12 to 24%, and 7 to 17% heavier than the weight of cuts from animals predicted to be in the worst 25% genetically for that cut. Significant exploitable genetic variability in primal carcass cuts was clearly evident even when adjusted to a common carcass weight. The high heritability of many of the primal cuts infers that large datasets are not actually required to achieve high accuracy of selection once the structure of the data and the number of progeny per sire is adequate.

scholarly journals GENETIC ANALYSIS OF SIZE-SCALING PATTERNS IN THE MOUSE MANDIBLE

Genetics ◽  
1985 ◽  
Vol 111 (3) ◽  
pp. 579-595
Author(s):  
William R Atchley ◽  
A Alison Plummer ◽  
Bruce Riska
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variance ◽  
Adult Mouse ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Covariance Structure ◽  
Ontogenetic Changes ◽  
Skeletal Morphology ◽  
Quantitative Genetic ◽  
Functional Aspects ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

ABSTRACT The relationship between multidimensional form of the adult mouse mandible and body size is examined from an ontogenetic perspective. The origin and ontogeny of phenotypic correlations are described in terms of genetic and environmental covariance patterns between adult skeletal morphology and growth in body weight. Different ontogenetic patterns are observed in the genetic correlations, and these can be related to the developmental as well as the functional aspects of mandibular form. The quantitative genetic aspects of craniomandibular growth and morphogenesis are explored, together with an examination of the impact of ontogenetic changes in the genetic variance-covariance structure on morphogenetic integration and evolution by selection.

Response to selection in Australian Merino sheep. VIII.* Further results on selection for high clean wool weight with attention to quality

1978 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 615 ◽  
Author(s):  
HN Turner ◽  
N Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Environment Interaction ◽  
Genetic Progress ◽  
Weight One ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Made In ◽  
Australian Merino

Results of selection for high clean wool weight per head with control of quality are reported for two selection groups over the period 1966–74. Results for the same experiment for the periods 1950–1959 and 1961–64 were reported earlier. Both groups were selected for high clean wool weight, one (S) with a ceiling on fibre diameter and degree of skin wrinkle, and the other (MS) with a lower limit on staple crimp frequency and a ceiling on skin wrinkle. Genetic progress in clean wool weight was greater in S than in MS over the 1966–74 period (0.12–0.15 lb/annum, compared with 0.06–0.09). This was to be expected from genetic correlations of clean wool weight with fibre diameter (low positive) and staple crimp frequency (high negative). The result supports the previous recommendation that staple crimp frequency is an inefficient way of controlling wool quality while attempting to improve quantity by selection, because its use severely restricts the likely progress in quantity. The actual rate of progress in the S group was similar to that in the period 1950–59, which was followed by a fall in superiority of the selected over the control group animals born during 1961–64. The recovery of response in the 1966–74 period negates the suggestion that the loss of response during the 1961-64 period was due to a 'plateau'. The most likely explanation is that a genotype x environment interaction occurred, such that the genetic gain made in the 1950-59 period could not be expressed in the poorer environments of 1960–65, but reappeared gradually under the improving environment of the 1966–74 period. Attempts to remove this interaction by regression of response on the mean clean wool weight of the unselected control group (as an index of the level of the environment) for each year, were not successful. The interaction is, therefore, not simply a case of all selection groups being equal when the environment is poor. ________________ *Part VII, Aust. J. Agric. Res., 26: 937 (1975).

Micron blowout: heritability and genetic correlations with fibre diameter and secondary follicle diameter

1999 ◽  
Vol 50 (8) ◽  
pp. 1375 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Hill ◽  
R. W. Ponzoni ◽  
J. W. James
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Correlation ◽  
Scale Effect ◽  
Genetic Variance ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
The Other ◽  
Follicle Diameter ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Biased Estimates ◽  
Practical Implications

Calculation of micron blowout as the difference between fibre diameter records taken at different ages can produce ‘biased’ estimates of the heritability and genetic correlations due to a scale effect. In some instances, standardisation of the fibre diameter records to a common genetic variance (i.e. removal of the scale effect) changed the heritability and the genetic correlation estimates. The effect of standardisation on the heritability of micron blowout was determined to a large extent by the difference in the genetic variance between the 2 fibre diameter measurements, whereas in the case of the genetic correlation between micron blowout and another trait, it was also dependent on the genetic correlation between the other trait and the two fibre diameters. It is recommended that heritabilities and genetic correlations involving micron blowout be calculated after standardising the fibre diameter measurements to a common genetic variance. The practical implications of the results are briefly discussed.

Genetic correlation between growth and reproductive performance of beef females depends on environment

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (7) ◽  
pp. 1201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mário L. Santana Jr ◽  
Joanir P. Eler ◽  
Annaiza B. Bignardi ◽  
Arione A. Boligon ◽  
José B. S. Ferraz
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Genetic Correlation ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Growth Traits ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Random Regression ◽  
Tropical Region ◽  
Correlated Response ◽  
Heterogeneous Environments ◽  
Environment Interaction

In tropical production systems, beef cattle are raised in highly heterogeneous environments. Heterogeneity is, therefore, expected to exist in the (co)variance components for traits of economic interest in different production environments. The main objective of the present study was to estimate genetic correlations between growth traits and reproductive performance of beef females, depending on the environment. The present study was conducted in the tropical region of Brazil, applying a multiple-trait random regression animal model to field records of heifer pregnancy (HP), hip height, bodyweight at ~18 months of age (BW18) and postweaning weight gain (PWG) from 20 893 Nelore females. As evidence of genotype by environment interaction (G × E), heterogeneity of genetic variance across environments was observed mainly for HP, PWG and BW18. Moreover, the estimates of genetic correlation within these traits reached values lower than unity on the environmental gradient. The genetic correlation among growth traits tended to be stronger in favourable environments, a fact that should favour correlated responses under these conditions. In contrast, the genetic correlations between growth traits and HP tended to become weaker and even exhibited little evidence of antagonism in more favourable environments. On the basis of these findings, selection for higher growth in extreme favourable environments should result in little or no damage to HP as a correlated response. All these results lead us to believe that the G × E is an important factor to be considered in genetic evaluations of beef cattle raised in tropical environments.

Measurement of fleece wettability in sheep and its relationship to susceptibility to fleece rot and blowfly strike

1982 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 141 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Pascoe
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variance ◽  
Additive Genetic Variance ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Economic Importance ◽  
Correlated Response ◽  
Response To Selection ◽  
Significant Incidence ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Selection For ◽  
The One

Fleece wettability in sheep is a character believed to be related to susceptibility to fleece rot and blowfly strike. The present study was undertaken to investigate that hypothesis and to assess wettability as a possible character for a selection program. Wool samples were taken from two flocks which had been subject to selection for wool quality and resistance to fleece rot and a third flock which was unselected. The wettabilities of about 800 samples were determined. The results were found to be repeatable and the technique was capable of distinguishing between sheep. Some problems of measurement are discussed. In the one flock with a significant incidence of fleece rot, susceptibility to fleece rot was found to be associated with higher wettabilities. The mean wettability and the variance were found to be significantly higher in the unselected flock than in the two selected flocks. The heritability of wettability was estimated in the two selected flocks and was found to be low. It is argued that there is likely to be more additive genetic variance in the unselected flock and that the observed difference in wettability was due to a correlated response to selection for resistance to fleece rot. It is considered that further work on the heritability of wettability and its genetic correlations with other characters of economic importance could be fruitful.

scholarly journals Genetic Variability of Fruit Set, Fruit Weight, and Yield in a Tomato Population Grown in Two High-temperature Environments

1992 ◽  
Vol 117 (5) ◽  
pp. 867-870 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Wessel-Beaver ◽  
J.W. Scott
Keyword(s):  
Puerto Rico ◽  
Genetic Variance ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Environment Interaction ◽  
Significant Component ◽  
Genotype Environment Interaction ◽  
Single Location ◽  
Selection For

Heritabilities (h2) and genetic correlations between percent fruit set, yield, and fruit weight were estimated from one summer planting each in Florida and Puerto Rico of 100 S, tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) families from a synthetic population. Single-location h2 was high for all traits. Across-locations h2 was low for yield, intermediate for fruit set, and high for fruit weight. Genotype × environment interaction (G × E) was 1) the only significant component of variance for yield, 2) somewhat important for fruit set, and 3) not an important variance component for fruit weight. The greater importance of genetic variance compared to G × E variance explains why across-location heritabilities for fruit weight and fruit set were high. Genetic correlations between fruit set and weight were strongly negative, while those between yield and set were large and positive. Yields under high temperatures may increase with selection for fruit set, but a reduction in fruit weight would be expected in this population and those with similar genetic correlations.

scholarly journals Genotype × environment interaction for fertility and milk yield traits in Canadian, Mexican and US Holstein cattle

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. e0402 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugo H. Montaldo ◽  
Alejandra Pelcastre-Cruz ◽  
Héctor Castillo-Juárez ◽  
Felipe J. Ruiz-López ◽  
Filippo Miglior
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Genetic Correlation ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
The United States ◽  
Interaction Effects ◽  
Calving Interval ◽  
Environment Interaction ◽  
Yield Traits ◽  
Age At First Calving

The objective of this study was to evaluate genotype × environment  interaction (G×E) between Canada, the United States and Mexico for fertility and milk yield traits using genetic correlations between countries estimated from genetic evaluations of sires. Genetic correlation between Mexican and Canadian Holsteins for age at first calving was ≤ 0.48 and lower than the simulated value obtained accounting for data structure and selection effects. For calving interval, genetic correlation between Mexico and Canada ranged from 0.48 to 0.69. Genetic correlation between calving interval in Mexico (multiplied by -1) and daughter pregnancy rate in the United States ranged from 0.64 to 0.73, and was lower than simulated and actual Canada-United States values. Genetic correlations between Mexico and Canada and the United States for milk yield traits were ≥ 0.83, similar to simulated genetic correlations, but lower than Canada-United States values (≥ 0.93). Heritability estimates for age at first calving, calving interval, milk yield, fat yield, protein yield, fat content, and protein content for the Mexican Holstein population were 0.06, 0.03, 0.18, 0.20, 0.19, 0.46, and 0.49, respectively. G×E interaction effects between Canada and Mexico for age at first calving were high, whereas G×E interaction effects between Canada and Mexico for calving interval and between daughter pregnancy rate in the United States and calving interval in Mexico were moderate. G×E interaction effects for milk yield traits between Canada or the United States with Mexico in registered Holsteins were low.

scholarly journals Genotype by Environment Interaction in Pinus sylvestris L. in Southern Sweden

2008 ◽  
Vol 57 (1-6) ◽  
pp. 306-311 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Hannrup ◽  
G. Jansson ◽  
Ö. Danell
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Sylvestris ◽  
Genetic Correlation ◽  
Growth Traits ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Site Index ◽  
Genotype By Environment Interaction ◽  
Environment Interaction ◽  
Height Increment ◽  
Southern Sweden ◽  
Genotype By Environment

Abstract To estimate the amount of genotype by environment interaction (G x E) data was obtained within the Swedish breeding program of Pinus sylvestris L. The calculations were based on estimates of G x E expressed by the genetic correlations across trials. In total, 66 progeny trials were included coming from 17 different test series. The number of parents tested per progeny trial was in average 52. Some parents were tested in several series and in total 812 parents were represented in the study. The results of our study showed that the amount of G x E for growth traits in Pinus sylvestris in southern Sweden was low. The median genetic correlation across trials for height, height increment and diameter were in the range 0.75-0.80 and the pattern of interaction was largely unpredictable from site differences in site index, latitude, longitude and altitude.

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