Testing demographic models of effective population size
Authored by N Perrin, P Basset, F Balloux
Date Published: 2001
Sponsors:
Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF)
Platforms:
No platforms listed
Model Documentation:
Other Narrative
Mathematical description
Model Code URLs:
Model code not found
Abstract
Due to practical difficulties in obtaining direct genetic estimates of
effective sizes, conservation biologists have to rely on so-called
`demographic models' which combine life-history and mating-system
parameters with F-statistics in order to produce indirect estimates of
effective sizes. However, for the same practical reasons that prevent
direct genetic estimates, the accuracy of demographic models is
difficult to evaluate. Here we use individual-based, genetically
explicit computer simulations in order to investigate the accuracy of
two such demographic models aimed at investigating the hierarchical
structure of populations. We show that, by and large, these models
provide good estimates under a wide range of mating systems and
dispersal patterns. However, one of the models should be avoided
whenever the focal species' breeding system approaches monogamy with no
sex bias in dispersal or when a substructure within social groups is
suspected because effective sizes may then be strongly overestimated.
The timing during the life cycle at which F-statistics are evaluated is
also of crucial importance and attention should be paid to it when
designing field sampling since different demographic models assume
different timings. Our study shows that individual-based, genetically
explicit models provide a promising way of evaluating the accuracy of
demographic: models of effective size and delineate their field of
applicability.
Tags
Genetics
Subdivided populations
Overlapping generations