Effect of selection on genetic parameters of correlated traits

Abstract

Changes in genetic parameters of correlated traits due to the buildup of linkage (gametic phase) disequilibrium from repeated truncation selection on a single trait are studied. After several generations of selection, an equilibrium is approached where there are no further changes in genetic parameters and limiting values are reached. Formulae are derived under an infinitesimal model for these limiting values of genetic variances and covariances, heritabilities, and genetic correlations between traits directly and indirectly selected. Changes from generation zero to the limit in all these parameters become greater as heritability of the trait under direct selection increases and, to a lesser extent, as intensity of selection increases. Change in heritability of a trait under indirect selection also increases as the absolute value of the correlation between the trait under indirect and the trait under direct selection increases. The change is maximum when the initial value of heritability is close to 0.5 and insignificant when the initital value is close to zero or one. Change in the genetic correlation between the trait under direct selection and the trait under indirect selection is maximum when its initial value is close to ±0.6 and insignificant when its initial value is close to zero or ±1. Heritability of the trait indirectly selected and genetic correlation between that trait and the trait directly selected always decrease in absolute value, whereas genetic correlation between two traits indirectly selected can either decrease or increase in absolute value. It is suggested that use be made of formulae at selection equilibrium in the prediction of correlated responses after several generations of selection.