Comparative studies of quantitative trait and neutral marker divergence: a meta-analysis.

摘要: Comparative studies of quantitative genetic and neutral marker differentiation have provided means for assessing the relative roles natural selection random drift in explaining among-population divergence. This information can be useful our fundamental understanding population differentiation, as well identifying management units conservation biology. Here, we provide comprehensive review meta-analysis empirical that compared (QST) (FST) among populations. Our analyses confirm conclusion from previous reviews – based on ca. 100% more data QST values are average higher than FST [mean difference 0.12 (SD 0.27)] suggesting a predominant role cause traits. However, although influence trait (life history, morphological behavioural) type (e.g. microsatellites allozymes) variance between is small, there much heterogeneity attributable to variation specific The latter understandable no reason expect would acting similar fashion all populations traits (except fitness itself). We also found evidence suggest across positively correlated, but significance this finding remains unclear. discuss these results context utility QST–FST comparisons tool inferring selection, associated methodological interpretational problems involved with individual meta-analytic studies.