The misuse of BLUP in ecology and evolution.

Journal article

Best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) is a method for obtaining point estimates of a random effect in a mixed effect model. Over the past decade it has been used extensively in ecology and evolutionary biology to predict individual breeding values and reaction norms. These predictions have been used to infer natural selection, evolutionary change, spatial-genetic patterns, individual reaction norms, and frailties. In this article we show analytically and through simulation and example why BL...

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Authors: Hadfield, J; Wilson, A; Garant, D; Sheldon, B; Kruuk, L

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: American naturalist
• Volume: 175
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 116-125
• Publication date: 2010-01-01
• DOI: 10.1086/648604
• EISSN: 1537-5323
• ISSN: 0003-0147
• Language: English
• Keywords: Computer Simulation; Animals; Breeding; Genetic Drift; Bayes Theorem; Genetic Variation; Linear Models; Ecology; Selection, Genetic; Uncertainty; Likelihood Functions; Biological Evolution; Sheep, Domestic