Tests for Association of Gene Frequencies at Several Loci in Random Mating Diploid Populations

Methods are outlined for analyzing data on genotype frequencies at several codominant loci in random mating diploid populations. Maximum likelihood (ML) methods are given for estimating chromosomal frequencies. Using these, a succession of models of assumed independence of gene frequency are fitted. These are based on those used in multi-dimensional contigency tables, and tests for association (linkage disequilibrium), made using likelihood ratios. The methods are illustrated with an example.