Theoretical studies of polygenic variation

Professor N. H. Barton

Description Most of the traits which are important in artificial selection and in adaptive evolution are polygenic: they vary continuously, as a result of the differences at many genes of small effect. Almost all studies assume that the variation is additive, so that the trait is just the sum of effects of the genes involved. The relation between genotype and phenotype is likely to be much more complex; this project would investigate the consequences of non-additive interactions for the evolution of populations under natural and artificial selection. It would be suitable for a student with a good mathematical or statistical background. Other projects, involving the effects of selection on many genes, and spatial structure, may also be available.

References

Barton N H & Turelli M (1989) Evolutionary quantitative genetics: How little do we know? Ann Rev Genetics 23, 337-370.

Barton N H & Turelli M (1991) Natural and sexual selection on many loci. Genetics 127, 229-255.

Barton N H & Whitlock M (1997) In "Metapopulation Biology" ed Hanski & Gilpin.