Evolutionary inference from Q ST
Abstract
Q(ST) is a commonly used metric of the degree of genetic differentiation among populations displayed by quantitative traits. Typically, Q(ST) is compared to F(ST) measured on putatively neutral loci; if Q(ST)=F(ST), this is taken as evidence of spatially heterogeneous and diversifying selection. This paper reviews the uses, assumptions and statistics of Q(ST) and F(ST) comparisons. Unfortunately, Q(ST)/F(ST) comparisons are statistically challenging. For a single trait, Q(ST) must be compared not to the mean F(ST) but to the distribution of F(ST) values. The sources of biases and sampling error for Q(ST) are reviewed, and a new method for comparing Q(ST) and F(ST) is suggested. Simulation results suggest that the distribution of neutral F(ST) and Q(ST) values are little affected by various deviations from the island model. Consequently, the distributions of Q(ST) and F(ST) are well approximated by the Lewontin-Krakauer prediction, even with realistic deviations from the island-model assumptions.
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By testing whether QST is significantly greater than FST, it is possible to determine whether there is more genetically explained trait variation among populations than expected under neutral evolution.
“Thus, by testing whether QST is significantly greater than FST, it is possible to determine whether there is more genetically explained trait variation among populations than expected under neutral evolution (28–31).”
From Heritability within groups is uninformative about differences among groups: Cases from behavioral, evolutionary, and statistical genetics (2024) · cites this paper as [30]
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- Authors
- WHITLOCK, M. C.
- Affiliations
- University of British Columbia (CA)
- Corresponding author
- WHITLOCK, MICHAEL C.
- ORCID
- WHITLOCK, MICHAEL C.
- Venue
- Molecular Ecology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2008-03-19
- Volume
- 17
- Issue
- 8
- Pages
- 1885-1896
- ISSN
- 0962-1083 (ISSN-L)
- 1365-294X
- OpenAlex
- W2119652557
- Cited by
- 384
- References
- 1
- Citations by year
- 2026: 9 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 16 · 2022: 22 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 19 · 2019: 21 · 2018: 18 · 2017: 15 · 2016: 19 · 2015: 30 · 2014: 32 · 2013: 36 · 2012: 31
- FWCI
- 2.61
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- Locations
- Molecular Ecology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Evolutionary Synthesis Center
- European Science Foundation
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetic diversity and population structure
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetic Mapping and Diversity in Plants and Animals
- Keywords
- F(ST), quantitative traits, genetic differentiation, diversifying selection, island model, sampling error, neutral loci, population genetics, evolutionary inference
- MeSH terms
- Models, Genetic, Selection, Genetic, Quantitative Trait Loci, Genetic Drift
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