An experimental check on an index combining individual and family measurements

Abstract

ABSTRACTUsing a pedigreed population ofDrosophila melanogaster, various indices of individual and full-sib family information were compared for predicting progeny performance for bristle score. On average, the indices were 14% more accurate than individual performance or family mean taken separately. Index weights computeda priorifrom data solely on the parent's generation gave an index almost as accurate as that computeda posterioriby multiple regression of performance of progeny on parents and parent's full sibs. The value of the index was therefore as predicted from theory.