title: Testing for causality in covarying traits: genes and latitude in a molecular world.
abstract: Many traits are assumed to have a causal (necessary) relationship with one another because of their common covariation with a physiological, ecological or geographical factor. Herein, we demonstrate a straightforward test for inferring causality using residuals from regression of the traits with the common factor. We illustrate this test using the covariation with latitude of a proxy for the circadian clock and a proxy for the photoperiodic timer in Drosophila and salmon. A negative result of this test means that further discussion of the adaptive significance of a causal connection between the covarying traits is unwarranted. A positive result of this test provides a point of departure that can then be used as a platform from which to determine experimentally the underlying functional connections and only then to discuss their adaptive significance.
authors: Center for Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403-5289, USA.
authors: Conor
authors: C
authors: O'Brien
authors: William E
authors: WE
authors: Bradshaw
authors: Christina M
authors: CM
authors: Holzapfel
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