Biomedical subjects

W P Maddison

Publications and source records attributed to W P Maddison.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1992

Estimation of levels of gene flow from DNA sequence data.

We compare the utility of two methods for estimating the average levels of gene flow from DNA sequence data. One method is based on estimating FST from frequencies at polymorphic sites, treating each site as a separate locus. The other method is based on computing the minimum number of migration events consistent with the gene tree inferred from their sequences. We compared the performance of these two methods on data that were generated by a computer simulation program that assumed the infinite sites model of mutation and that assumed an island model of migration. We found that in general when there is no recombination, the cladistic method performed better than FST while the reverse was true for rates of recombination similar to those found in eukaryotic nuclear genes, although FST performed better for all recombination rates for very low levels of migration (Nm = 0.1).

Computer Simulation↗

PubMed1990

Detecting isolation by distance using phylogenies of genes.

We introduce a method for analyzing phylogenies of genes sampled from a geographically structured population. A parsimony method can be used to compute s, the minimum number of migration events between pairs of populations sampled, and the value of s can be used to estimate the effective migration rate M, the value of Nm in an island model with local populations of size N and a migration rate m that would yield the same value of s. Extensive simulations show that there is a simple relationship between M and the geographic distance between pairs of samples in one- and two-dimensional models of isolation by distance. Both stepping-stone and lattice models were simulated. If two demes k steps apart are sampled, then, s, the average value of s, is a function only of k/(Nm) in a one-dimensional model and is a function only of k/(Nm)2 in a two-dimensional model. Furthermore, log(M) is approximately a linear function of log(k). In a one-dimensional model, the regression coefficient is approximately -1 and in a two-dimensional model the regression coefficient is approximately -0.5. Using data from several locations, the regression of log(M) on log(distance) may indicate whether there is isolation by distance in a population at equilibrium and may allow an estimate of the effective migration rate between adjacent sampling locations. Alternative methods for analyzing DNA sequence data from a geographically structured population are discussed. An application of our method to the data of R. L. Cann, M. Stoneking and A. C. Wilson on human mitochondrial DNA is presented.

Computer Simulation↗

PubMed1989

A cladistic measure of gene flow inferred from the phylogenies of alleles.

A method for estimating the average level of gene flow among populations is introduced. The method provides an estimate of Nm, where N is the size of each local population in an island model and m is the migration rate. This method depends on knowing the phylogeny of the nonrecombining segments of DNA that are sampled. Given the phylogeny, the geographic location from which each sample is drawn is treated as multistate character with one state for each geographic location. A parsimony criterion applied to the evolution of this character on the phylogeny provides the minimum number of migration events consistent with the phylogeny. Extensive simulations show that the distribution of this minimum number is a simple function of Nm. Assuming the phylogeny is accurately estimated, this method provides an estimate of Nm that is as nearly as accurate as estimates obtained using FST and other statistics when Nm is moderate. Two examples of the use of this method with mitochondrial DNA data are presented.

Alleles↗

PubMed1989

Interactive analysis of phylogeny and character evolution using the computer program MacClade.

Computer programs for phylogenetic analysis have been important tools in systematics and evolutionary biology, but most have been designed primarily for the reconstruction of phylogenetic trees and not the interpretation of patterns of character evolution. Described here is the computer program MacClade, designed for interactive analysis of character evolution and phylogeny. For a given tree and a matrix of character data, MacClade displays its reconstruction of character evolution by shading the branches of the tree to indicate ancestral states. Trees can be manipulated for instance by picking up and moving branches. Assumptions underlying the reconstruction of character evolution can be varied extensively. With these manipulations and MacClade's graphical feedback, one can explore the relationships among phylogenetic trees, character data, assumptions and interpretations of character evolution. MacClade has extensive facilities for editing data, displaying various summaries of character evolution in charts and diagrams, and printing.

Animals↗