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The multivariate breeders equation (MBE) by Lande predicts the change in a trait $\Delta \bar z$ (response) as

$\Delta \bar z = G \beta$

where $G$ is a genetic variance-covariance matrix and $\beta$ is a vector of the selection coefficients. What are the limitations on the number of traits the MBE can tolerate? Is there a theoretical limit on the number of traits $G$ and $\beta$ could contain? Or does the calculation lose power with increasing complexity?

Theoretically as an example, could I take the expression of 10000 genes, compare them to fitness to to make a 10000 row $\beta$ vector, and generate a 10000 * 10000 G-matrix from estimates of male and female gene expression in some lines, and then put them through the MBE?

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  • $\begingroup$ (this may be better on or cross posted on maths SE) $\endgroup$
    – rg255
    Commented Oct 13, 2014 at 15:54
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    $\begingroup$ I guess there is no theoretical limit on how many dimensions you should have. But it makes sense to reduce the dimensionality of the model if possible. Having too many variables makes a) the system look complicated (and clumsy) b) consumes more computational resources c) in some cases makes the dynamical model stiff (makes it difficult to solve) $\endgroup$
    – WYSIWYG
    Commented Oct 14, 2014 at 4:46
  • $\begingroup$ This is still fine because it is a linear equation. And 10k x 10k matrix is not that huge for computers these days. But you would end up storing more information than needed. $\endgroup$
    – WYSIWYG
    Commented Oct 14, 2014 at 4:52
  • $\begingroup$ @WYSIWYG Thanks, I guess there is a trade off to be had, on one hand we want to include as many traits as possible to ensure we have all traits affecting fitness (which is almost impossible, particularly in natural populations, and especially if we consider all ontogenetic and environmental variants). But on the other it becomes rapidly more complex, conceptually difficult and less general in its meaning. $\endgroup$
    – rg255
    Commented Oct 14, 2014 at 7:36

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Noting that the right hand side can also be written $\mathbf{G}\mathbf{P}^{-1}\mathbf{s}$, we see that the only theoretical limitation of the multivariate breeders equation is the invertibility of the matrix $\mathbf{P}$. This happens when the measures of two traits are the same for all individuals, making two columns of the matrix the same I.e. It becomes singular.

This theoretical concern can become a practical concern quite quickly when multiple traits are measured. The solution is to effectively consider two traits as one.

The 'power' of the equation, by which I assume you mean something like 'accuracy of prediction', actually improves with the number of traits measured. Indeed, a big concern with measuring only a few traits is that the response to selection on those traits is actually 'caused' by selection on some other correlated but unmeasured trait.

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