Heritability of dorsal spines in the fourspine stickleback (Apeltes Quadracus)

Abstract

Heritabilities of dorsal spine number in Apeltes quadracus are estimated for four widely separated sites in New Brunswick, Canada. The additive genetic variance is high with values ranging from 0.47 ± 0.049 to 0.80 ± 0.128; average heritability for the four sites is 0.61 ± 0.068. The sexes do not differ for estimates. Directional selection over three generations shows a rapid response suggesting that few loci are involved and that stabilizing selection acts on natural populations. © 1983, The Genetical Society of Great Britain.