Bruce Weir

Abstract The Jacquard genetic identity coefficients are of fundamental importance in relatedness research. We address the estimation of these coefficients as well as other relationship parameters that derive from them such as kinship and inbreeding coefficients using a concise matrix framework. Estimation of the Jacquard coefficients via likelihood methods and the expectation–maximization algorithm is computationally very demanding for large numbers of polymorphisms.

Abstract The Jacquard genetic identity coefficients are of fundamental importance in relatedness research. We address the estimation of these coefficients as well as other relatedness parameters that derive from them such as kinship and inbreeding coefficients using a concise matrix framework. Estimation of the Jacquard coefficients via likelihood methods and the expectation--maximization algorithm is computationally very demanding for large numbers of polymorphisms.

Abstract Measuring inbreeding as well as its consequences on fitness is central for many areas in biology including human genetics and the conservation of endangered species. However, there is no consensus on the most appropriate method, neither for quantification of inbreeding itself nor for the model to estimate its effect on specific traits.