Evolution of continuous variation: direct approach through joint distribution of genotypes and phenotypes
The evolutionary dynamics of the joint distribution of genotypes and phenotypes is studied. The model, originally devised to study the joint effects of Mendelian and other types of transmissions, provides results of interest also to the theory of direct Mendelian transmission with natural selection. Assuming bivariate normal distributions, it is shown that in the latter case genotypic and phenotypic means and variances, and genotype-phenotype correlation can be expressed recursively as functions of the parameters for the selection, environmental, and mutation variance. Equilibria and rates of approach for these moments are calculated. It is also proved that in the presence of selection the heritability, defined as the ratio of expected genotypic to expected phenotypic variance after selection, is greater than that before selection by a predictable amount and that it can be greater than unity.
- Research Organization:
- Stanford Univ., CA (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 7190376
- Journal Information:
- Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.; (United States), Vol. 73:5
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Adaptive Phenotypic Plasticity Stabilizes Evolution in Fluctuating Environments
Mutation in a gene for type I procollagen (COL1A2) in a woman with postmenopausal osteoporosis: Evidence for phenotypic and genotypic overlap with mild osteogenesis imperfecta