Summary
Studies of qualitative and quantitative or continuous genetic variation are, in part, historically and methodologically separate. But the traditional distinction between major genes and polygenes has unfortunately caused some confusion in discussions of the location of polygenes and the nature of the loci which contribute to quantitative variation. Consequently, this paper proposes that the term “polygenic locus” replace the term “polygene” when reference is made to the effects of individual loci. A polygenic locus is defined as a genetic locus composed of one or more closely linked genes at which allelic substitutions contribute to the variance in a specified quantitative character. A standard nomenclature is described.
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Thompson, J., Thoday, J. A definition and standard nomenclature for “polygenic loci“. Heredity 33, 430–437 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1038/hdy.1974.113
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/hdy.1974.113
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