Abstract
The estimation of genetic correlations is central to the study of evolutionary change in populations. However, sample sizes required to achieve a small standard error are typically enormous. This precludes large-scale comparative analyses. Cheverud has conjectured that in some circumstances the phenotypic correlation can be substituted for the genetic correlation. This suggestion is examined using a large set of morphological traits in the sand cricket, Gryllus firmus. In this case the difference between the two estimates is very small. Further, by simulation it is shown that the phenotypic correlations are as good as, or better than, the estimated genetic correlations as estimates of the true genetic correlations. Examination of other data sets of morphological traits suggests that the phenotypic correlation may, in general, be a suitable substitute for the estimated genetic correlation. However, because the number of such examinations is still small, a protocol is suggested in which two sets of genetic analyses are undertaken to confirm the assumption in a large comparative analysis.
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Roff, D. The estimation of genetic correlations from phenotypic correlations: a test of Cheverud's conjecture. Heredity 74, 481–490 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1038/hdy.1995.68
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/hdy.1995.68
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