Premium
Validity of covariance models for the analysis of geographical variation
Author(s) -
Guillot Gilles,
Schilling René L.,
Porcu Emilio,
Bevilacqua Moreno
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
methods in ecology and evolution
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.425
H-Index - 105
ISSN - 2041-210X
DOI - 10.1111/2041-210x.12167
Subject(s) - covariance , variation (astronomy) , parametric statistics , parameterized complexity , computer science , covariance function , focus (optics) , variance (accounting) , analysis of covariance , mathematics , econometrics , statistics , algorithm , physics , accounting , optics , astrophysics , business
Due to the availability of large molecular data-sets, covariance models are increasingly used to describe the structure of genetic variation as an alternative to more heavily parametrised biological models. We focus here on a class of parametric covariance models that received sustained attention lately and show that the conditions under which they are valid mathematical models have been overlooked so far. We provide rigorous results for the construction of valid covariance models in this family. We also outline how to construct alternative covariance models for the analysis of geographical variation that are both mathematically well behaved and easily implementable.