Genetics, Vol 118, 365-369, Copyright © 1988


INVESTIGATIONS

A Model to Estimate the Increase of Genetic Variability Due to Electrophoretically Cryptic Alleles

M. Iizuka
Present address: Division of Biometry and Risk Assesment, Statistics Biomathematic Branch, B3-02, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709.

To consider the problem of the increase of genetic variability due to electrophoretically cryptic alleles, the equally degenerate electromorph model is proposed. Mutation, random sampling drift and selection can be incorporated in this model. Simple formulas are obtained to show how genetic variability increases when cryptic alleles are distinguished. This model is extended to a two-population system to see the effect of cryptic allele variation on genetic differentiation.