The genetical bandwidth mapping: a spatial and graphical representation of population genetic structure based on the Wombling method.
Characterizing the spatial variation of allele frequencies in a population has a wide range of applications in population genetics. This article introduces a new nonparametric method, which provides a two-dimensional representation of a structural parameter called the genetical bandwidth, which describes genetic structure around arbitrary spatial locations in a study area. This parameter corresponds to the shortest distance to areas of significant allele variation, and its computation is based on the Womble's systemic function. A simulation study and application to data sets taken from the literature give evidence that the method is particularly demonstrative when the fine-scale structure is stronger than the large-scale structure, and that it is generally able to locate genetic boundaries or clines precisely.
Cercueil
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TIMC, Institut National Polytechnique de Grenoble, UJF-CNRS UMR 5525, TIMB Faculté de Médecine, F38706 La Tronche, France.
François
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Manel
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D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D005787:Gene Frequency; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005828:Genetics, Population; D015894:Genome, Human; D006801:Humans; D008957:Models, Genetic; D049490:Systems Biology