Detecting selection using time-series data of allele frequencies with multiple independent reference loci

Abstract

Recently, in 2013 Feder et al. proposed the frequency increment test (FIT), which evaluates natural selection at a single diallelic locus by the use of time-series data of allele frequencies. This test is unbiased under conditions of constant population size and no sampling noise. Here, we expand upon the FIT by introducing a test that explicitly allows for changes in population size by using information from independent reference loci. Various demographic models suggest that our proposed test is unbiased irrespective of fluctuations in population size when sampling noise can be ignored and that it has greater power to detect selection than the FIT if sufficient reference loci are used. ©2013 Nishino.