How to estimate kinship

• DOI: 10.1111/mec.14833
• Publication Date: 2018-08-14T17:18:02Z
• Authors: Jérôme Goudet; Tomas Kay; Bruce S. Weir
• Keywords: Pedigree chart; Population Genetics

Abstract The concept of kinship permeates many domains fundamental and applied biology ranging from social evolution to conservation science quantitative human genetics. Until recently, pedigrees were the gold standard infer kinship, but advent next‐generation sequencing availability dense genetic markers in species make it a good time (re)evaluate usefulness this context. Using three published data sets where both are available, we evaluate two common new estimator kinship. We show discrepancies between pedigree values marker estimates explore via simulations possible reasons for these. find these attributable main sources: errors heterogeneity origin founders. also that our marker‐based has very statistical properties behaviour is particularly well suited situations source population small size, as will often be case biology, high levels expected, typical studies.