A program to compare genetic differentiation statistics across loci using resampling of individuals and loci

Abstract

Comparisons of genetic differentiation across populations based on different loci can provide insight into the evolutionary patterns acting on various regions of genomes. Here, we develop a program to statistically compare population genetic differentiation statistics (F(ST) or G'(ST) ) calculated from different loci. The program employs a routine that resamples either or both of individuals and loci and calculates a bootstrap confidence interval in the statistics. Resampling individuals is important when fewer than 25 individuals are sampled per population and when confidence intervals are required for individual loci. Resampling loci provides confidence intervals for sets of loci, such as a set presumed to be neutral, but can be anticonservative if fewer than 20 loci are analysed. We demonstrate the program using previously published data on the genetic differentiation at a major histocompatibility complex locus and at microsatellite loci across 10 populations of the guppy (Poecilia reticulata).