Publication
Title
How repeatbale is the estimation of fluctuating asymmetry?
Author
Abstract
The estimation of individual fluctuating asymmetry (FA) is subject to large sampling variabilities. Heritability estimates, as well as correlations between developmental stability and any other individual character and/or between-trait correlations, are consequently biased downward if FA is used as an estimate of an individual's ability to buffer its development against developmental noise. The estimation of the hypothetical repeatability, defined as the ratio of the between-individual component of variation in the unsigned FA divided by the total variance, allows correction for these biases such that patterns observed for FA can be translated to make inferences about the presumed underlying developmental stability. In this paper I show that previous estimates of this repeatability are incorrect. I provide a new method and show by means of simulations that the hypothetical repeatability is in most cases even lower than previously thought. This has important consequences for the analysis of FA with respect to statistical power and the interpretation of patterns in FA.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Proceedings : biological sciences / Royal Society [London] - London, 1990, currens
Publication
London : Royal Society , 1998
ISSN
0962-8452 [print]
1471-2954 [online]
DOI
10.1098/RSPB.1998.0452
Volume/pages
265 (1998) , p. 1423-1427
ISI
000075543600009
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 08.10.2008
Last edited 13.05.2024
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