Estimating the heritability by decomposing the genetic variance

Abstract

Population genetics succeeded in recasting the macroscopic phenotypic Darwinian theory as formalized by Galton and Pearson into the microscopic genetic chance model initiated by Mendel. In order to do this the concept of genetic variance of a population was introduced. This concept and its application is one of the most difficult parts of population genetics. In this paper we define precisely how the genetic variance can be decomposed and how the method can be applied to haploid organisms. A fundamental theorem is proven which allows estimation of the heritability from microscopic genetic information of the population. It is indicated how the theorem can be used in the breeder genetic algorithm BGA.