Equilibrium values of measures of population subdivision for stepwise mutation processes

Abstract

Expected values of Wright's F-statistics are functions of probabilities of identity in state. These values may be quite different under an infinite allele model and under stepwise mutation processes such as those occurring at microsatellite loci. However, a relationship between the probability of identity in state in stepwise mutation models and the distribution of coalescence times can be deduced from the relationship between probabilities of identity by descent and the distribution of coalescence times. The values of F(IS) and F(SI) can be computed using this property. Examination of the conditional probability of identity in state given some coalescence time and of the distribution of coalescence times are also useful for explaining the properties of F(IS) and F(SI) at high mutation rate loci, as shown here in an island model of population structure.