Describing genetic diversity
In the previous chapter, we examined techniques for ascertaining the
genotype of each individual from a sample of organisms from a population or species. We now describe the parameters that allow us to extrapolate from samples to the entire population. These values are essential
for comparisons among populations and species, and for predicting
changes in the genetic composition of populations. Parameters are
required for both single loci, and for more complex, multilocus, quantitative characters. This chapter is concerned with simple one or two loci
situations. Chapter 5 addresses quantitative traits.