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. 1997 Jul;146(3):1197–1206. doi: 10.1093/genetics/146.3.1197

A Test of Neutrality Based on Interlocus Associations

J K Kelly 1
PMCID: PMC1208047  PMID: 9215920

Abstract

The evolutionary processes governing variability within genomic regions of low recombination have been the focus of many studies. Here, I investigate the statistical properties of a measure of intrlocus genetic associations under the assumption that mutations are selectively neutral and sites are completely linked. This measure, denoted Z(nS), is based on the squared correlation of allelic identity at pairs of polymorphic sites. Upper bounds for Z(nS) are determined by simulations. Various deviations from the neutral model, including several different forms of natural selection, will inflate the value of Z(nS) relative to its neutral theory expectations. Larger than expected values of Z(nS) are observed in genetic samples from the yellow-ac-scute and Adh regions of Drosophila melanogaster.

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Selected References

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