Work

Q&A: Genetic Lineages

Year: 2026

Type: preprint

Abstract: Genetic lineages are key to understanding evolution in complex scenarios and the evolution of genetic systems. However, they are often misunderstood; for example, confused with alleles or pedigrees. Here, we provide an accessible introduction to genetic lineages in question and answer format, from their definition as a physical object in space-time to their empirical characterization through ancestral recombination graphs. We then illustrate how lineages are essential to a clear understanding of several cutting-edge problems, for which more classical population genetic techniques are inadequate.

DOI: 10.32942/x24098

Authors: Joanna Masel, Daniel Smith, Daniel Weinreich, Jeremy Van Cleve

Institutions: University of Arizona, Brown University, The University of Texas at Austin, University of Kentucky

Language: English

Topic: Evolution and Genetic Dynamics

Subfield: Genetics

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Science Foundation, John Templeton Foundation, Brown University, Banff International Research Station for Mathematical Innovation and Discovery, Division of Environmental Biology

Awards: Collaborative Research: Testing the Role that Biotic Interactions Play in the Latitudinal Diversity Gradient: A Chemical Community Ecology Approach to Understanding Tree Diversity, CAREER: Genetic architecture and the construction of complex social traits, Agency, Directionality, and Function: Foundations for a Science of Purpose, G5056739009

OpenAlex ID: W7204951489

Cites: 70

Cited by:

Related to: 10