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GENETIC ANALYSIS OF HYBRID ZONES: NUMBERS OF MARKERS AND POWER OF RESOLUTION
Author(s) -
Boecklen William J.,
Howard Daniel J.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.144
H-Index - 294
eISSN - 1939-9170
pISSN - 0012-9658
DOI - 10.1890/0012-9658(1997)078[2611:gaohzn]2.0.co;2
Subject(s) - biology , evolutionary biology , genetic marker , backcrossing , ecology , genetics , gene
The use of molecular genetic techniques is becoming increasingly widespread in analyses of hybrid zones. Yet, exactly how many molecular markers are required to provide a given degree of resolution remains an open question. We present statistical models that relate the number of markers examined to their power to discriminate between pure species, F1’s, and backcross individuals. Our models indicate that only about four or five markers are required to provide a coarse classification of individuals in hybrid zones, whereas upwards of 70 markers are required to discriminate between pure species and advanced backcrosses. The models provide hybrid zone researchers a basis upon which to balance the time and expense of examining large numbers of markers against the magnitude of classification errors when smaller numbers of markers are examined.