Linkage equilibrium in multi-locus genotypic frequencies with mixed selfing and random mating (Q1123148)

The convergence to linkage equilibrium due to the recombination process is studied for a population with mixed selfing and random mating. In this model, two alleles at each of the n loci are considered. The deviation from linkage equilibrium is calculated in terms of Bennett disequilibria that measure the deviations from the Robbins proportions in the gametes. Generalized disequilibrium measures are introduced via a linear transformation to describe the deviations of the genotypic frequencies from Hardy-Weinberg ones. The convergence to linkage equilibrium is dominated by the convergence of the gametic frequencies since the convergence of the genotypic proportions due to partial selfing is comparatively rapid. The generalized disequilibrium measures are closely related to joint inbreeding coefficients for the loci. The mathematical methods remain on an elementary algebraical and combinatorial level.