Estimating effective population size from linkage disequilibrium: severe bias in small samples

摘要: Effective population size (Ne) is a central concept in evolutionary biology and conservation genetics. It predicts rates of loss neutral genetic variation, fixation deleterious favourable alleles, the increase inbreeding experienced by population. A method exists for estimation Ne from observed linkage disequilibrium between unlinked loci sample. While an increasing number studies have applied this natural managed populations, its reliability has not yet been evaluated. We developed computer program to calculate estimator using most widely used algorithm simulations show that strongly biased when sample small (<100) below true Ne. This probably due generated sampling process itself inadequate correction phenomenon method. Results suggest estimates derived should be regarded with caution many cases. To improve method’s usefulness we propose way determine whether given exceeds can therefore computation unbiased estimate.