The K = 2 conundrum

Assessments of population genetic structure have become an increasing focus as they can provide valuable insight into patterns of migration and gene flow. structure, the most highly cited of several clustering‐based methods, was developed to provide robust estimates without the need for populations...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Molecular ecology 2017-07, Vol.26 (14), p.3594-3602
Main Authors: Janes, Jasmine K., Miller, Joshua M., Dupuis, Julian R., Malenfant, René M., Gorrell, Jamieson C., Cullingham, Catherine I., Andrew, Rose L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological effects
Cluster Analysis
Clustering
clustering methods
Clusters
conservation
delta K
Gene Flow
Genetic structure
Genetics, Population - methods
management
Migration
Models, Genetic
optimal K
Population
population genetic structure
Population genetics
Population structure
Population studies
Readers
Research Design
Structural hierarchy
Subpopulations
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Summary:Assessments of population genetic structure have become an increasing focus as they can provide valuable insight into patterns of migration and gene flow. structure, the most highly cited of several clustering‐based methods, was developed to provide robust estimates without the need for populations to be determined a priori. structure introduces the problem of selecting the optimal number of clusters, and as a result, the ΔK method was proposed to assist in the identification of the “true” number of clusters. In our review of 1,264 studies using structure to explore population subdivision, studies that used ΔK were more likely to identify K = 2 (54%, 443/822) than studies that did not use ΔK (21%, 82/386). A troubling finding was that very few studies performed the hierarchical analysis recommended by the authors of both ΔK and structure to fully explore population subdivision. Furthermore, extensions of earlier simulations indicate that, with a representative number of markers, ΔK frequently identifies K = 2 as the top level of hierarchical structure, even when more subpopulations are present. This review suggests that many studies may have been over‐ or underestimating population genetic structure; both scenarios have serious consequences, particularly with respect to conservation and management. We recommend publication standards for population structure results so that readers can assess the implications of the results given their own understanding of the species biology.
ISSN:0962-1083
1365-294X
DOI:10.1111/mec.14187