We consider an individual based model of phenotypic evolution in hermaphroditic populations which includes random and assortative mating of individuals. By increasing the number of individuals to infinity we obtain a nonlinear transport equation, which describes the evolution of phenotypic distribution. The main result of the paper is a theorem on asymptotic stability of trait distribution. Thi...

A stochastic simulation model of a sheep breeding program is used to show how assortative matings can increase the number of rams sold which are homozygous favourable for a major gene. The commercial implications of such a strategy are discussed in comparison with strategies focused more on increasing gene frequency. Long term inbreeding is unaffected while the lost response to selection for po...