Lecture 10 Tests for Molecular Signatures of Selection

There is a rich population genetics literature on tests for whether an observed pattern of polymorphism, or an observed between-species difference, or both, can be accounted for with a standard drift model. Rejection of this hypothesis offers the possibility that selection may play a role, but (as we will see) other forces (such as population history) can also cause strong deviations from the neutral model, especially when attempting to account for an observed pattern of polymorphism. While these tests have their roots in evolutionary biology, they have made their way into human genetics and animal/plant breeding.