‘True’ null allele detection in microsatellite loci: a comparison of methods, assessment of difficulties and survey of possible improvements

摘要: Null alleles are that for various reasons fail to amplify in a PCR assay. The presence of null microsatellite data is known bias the genetic parameter estimates. Thus, efficient detection crucial, but methods available indirect allele return inconsistent results. Here, our aim was compare different detection, explain their respective performance and provide improvements. We applied several approaches identify ‘true’ based on predictions made by five methods, used either individually or combination. First, we introduced simulated into 240 population sets measure success detecting alleles. single best-performing method ML-NullFreq_frequency. Furthermore, noise reduction improve For instance, combining results obtained more reliable than using one. Rule-based classification properties linked false discovery rate. Rules from classifier described which estimates loci characteristics were each method. have shown simulating set, may define frequency threshold, related desired true Moreover, such sets, expected homozygote be estimated independently equilibrium state population.