A Diffusion Model for Random Drift with Variable Population Size,
Abstract
A diffusion model for random genetic drift with a variable population size is developed. The model is based on Karlin's Markov chain model for genetic drift in a haploid population. The variable size diffusion model is shown to be equivalent to Wright's constant size diffusion model with a random time change. Conditions are given for the population growth that will assure a positive probability that the two types of individuals remain in the population indefinitely. The mean time to fixation or loss in the variable size model is found under certain conditions to be the same as the mean time to fixation or loss in Wright's constant size diffusion model. A diffusion approximation to a branching process is used to construct an example of a variable size population model with the same mean time to fixation or loss as the constant size diffusion model. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1972
- Accession Number
- AD0744126
Entities
People
- J. J. Hsieh
- Woollcott Smith
Organizations
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill