title: Estimation in an island model using simulation.
abstract: Estimation for an island model where mutation maintains a k-allele neutral polymorphism at a single locus on each island is considered. The likelihood of an observed sample type configuration is obtained by applying a computational algorithm analogous to Griffiths and Tavaré (Theor. Popul. Biol. 46 (1994), 131-159). This allows the computation of sampling distributions in an island model and investigation of their properties. Given a sample type configuration, the maximum likelihood estimate of the migration parameter is obtained by simulating independently the likelihood at a grid of points and, also, using a surface simulation method. The latter method generates the whole likelihood trajectory in a single application of the simulation program. An estimate of variance of the estimate of the migration parameter is obtained using the likelihood trajectory. A comparison of the maximum likelihood estimates of the gene flow between subpopulations is made with those obtained by using Wright's FST statistic.
authors.affiliation: School of Applied Science, Monash University, Gippsland Campus, Churchill, Victoria, 3842, Australia.
authors.forename: H B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Nath
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Griffiths
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005787:Gene Frequency / Q000235:genetics*; D005788:Gene Pool; D005843:Geography; D006801:Humans; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D008390:Markov Chains; D008957:Models, Genetic; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results