Genealogical and Genetic Structure of Small Populations

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

In a small genetically isolated population, chance events of genealogy affect the genetic structure of the population, the number and variety of genes, and the pattern of similarity and difference between population subdivisions. Conversely, detailed patterns of genetic variation between individuals convey information about the recent genealogical history of the population, and thence about patterns of gene flow. The research proposed will develop methods to analyze effects of detailed genealogical structure upon gene survival, and for inference of genealogy from current genetic data. The latter question will be studied in a natural plant population. The methods developed will be applicable also to any other small natural animal or plant population, in which genetic data on individuals can be obtained but genealogical relationships cannot be precisely observed. The effects of genealogical structure on the number and variety of surviving genes in a small isolated population have implications for the genetic management of species isolates. Many species now exist only in small numbers and some only in captivity, and quantitative approaches to the maintenance of genetic variability can be of practical importance in assessing the future of a population. This research will also produce a package of computer programs to handle, store, access and update large complex genealogies within an efficient data base structure. These programs can provide a convenient data management structure for many persons involved in data of this type, whatever their computing expertise or objectives.