Quantitative characters under assortative mating: gametic model (Q800847)

The gametic model introduced by the author, ibid. 22, 324-366 (1982; Zbl 0514.92011), is applied to investigating the dynamics of the variance of sex-independent and sex-controlled characters under assortative mating. This is represented in the model by a second-order recurrence equation. For any additive character, it is shown that there always exists a unique equilibrium for the variance. This equilibrium is stable. Dynamical properties of the variance under positive and negative matings are considered. The numerical evaluations of the equilibrium values as well as of the dynamical changes of the variance are presented. Laboratory experiments on phenotypic assortative mating in Drysophila melanogaster were conducted. The number of bristles on abdominal segments was chosen as the quantitative character. This character was one which seemed to satisfy the conditions of the theory. Experiments with positive mating and with negative mating were devised and the results compared with the theory.