How closely correlated are molecular and quantitative measures of genetic variation? A meta-analysis

D. H. Reed*, R. Frankham

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    636 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    The ability of populations to undergo adaptive evolution depends on the presence of quantitative genetic variation for ecologically important traits. Although molecular measures are widely used as surrogates for quantitative genetic variation, there is controversy about the strength of the relationship between the two. To resolve this issue, we carried out a meta-analysis based on 71 datasets. The mean correlation between molecular and quantitative measures of genetic variation was weak (r = 0.217). Furthermore, there was no significant relationship between the two measures for life-history traits (r = -0.11) or for the quantitative measure generally considered as the best indicator of adaptive potential, heritability (r = -0.08). Consequently, molecular measures of genetic diversity have only a very limited ability to predict quantitative genetic variability. When information about a population's short-term evolutionary potential or estimates of local adaptation and population divergence are required, quantitative genetic variation should be measured directly.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1095-1103
    Number of pages9
    JournalEvolution
    Volume55
    Issue number6
    Publication statusPublished - 2001

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'How closely correlated are molecular and quantitative measures of genetic variation? A meta-analysis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this