Article Abstract:
Estimation of demographic parameters for a population using statistic R(ST) is more accurate than F(ST) under the assumption of the generalized stepwise model of mutation at microsatellite loci. The higher efficiency of R(ST) is due to its design, which suitably fits the generalized stepwise mutation model. Available data indicate that the assumptions made in the model are efficient for modeling differences among populations of the same species. A comparative study of demographic parameters obtained by F(ST) and R(ST) helps derive information about the time scales of interest in the populations.
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Article Abstract:
Two methods of estimating gene flow were compared using computer-generated data for DNA sequence. The first method estimates gene flow from the frequency of the alleles for particular loci at specific geographic locations. The second method computes for the least number of migrations required to recreate a gene tree inferred from nucleotide sequences. Results show that when recombination is omitted, the second method provided a better estimate of gene flow. However, when there is recombination, the first method yields more satisfactory results.
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Article Abstract:
Genetic processes affecting the distributions of allele frequencies at 108 miccrosatellite loci in humans are studied after reviewing and modifying the 'stepwise mutation' model used in population genetics. Results showed that the mutation rate at the loci studied is independent of allele size since no correlation between mean and variance in allele size at a locus or between the number of alleles and mean allele size was found.
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