Introduction

RFA estimates the relative fitness of different types of individuals for experiments that monitor natural selection by comparing the proportion of each type of individual before and after selection.

RFA performs two main functions: estimating the relative fitness of different types of individuals from empirical data, and simulating data. Both functions assume that the proportions of each type of individual in the population are known without error before selection.

I will refer to "different types of individuals" as “stocks” because this analysis is frequently used in to compare stocks of fish.

Please see this paper for a description of the method.

File formats

The following file format is used to analyze empirical data.

             ADULT     SMOLT

   Wild      11        96

   Hatchery  90        269

The data input file has the following conventions.

1. The first line of the file lists the name of the sampling periods. It is necessary.

2. The first stock listed will be used as the standard stock, i.e., it will have a relative fitness of 1.0.

3. ADULT refers to the number of fish in each stock before selection. Proportions may be used in this column. Any label can be used here.

4. SMOLT refers to the number of fish in each stock after selection. Any label can be used here.

To analyze data, open a data file, and then select the “Estimate relative fitness” option from the “Analysis” menu.

The simulation file has the following format. The file is similar, except that it consists of a list of stocks and their relative fitnesses. An example is shown below.

   STOCK     f

   Wild      1.0

   Hatchery  0.8

The first stock listed must have a relative fitness of 1.0. It will be used as the standard stock. To simulate data, open a simulation file and then select the “Simulation” option from the “Analysis” menu. RFA will prompt the user for the sample size to use. Results will be output to a tab delimited text file that can be imported to a spreadsheet or database for analysis.

Download

Click here to download the code:

Note: If you have downloaded multiple programs from my website, please keep the original kalinowski_library.dll with each program.

Click here to download the sample data files shown above.

Installation / Running RFA / Uninstalling

RFA requires the .NET (pronounced "dot net") framework to run. Instructions are provided on my software page.

Once you have the .NET framework on your computer, click on RFA.exe to run RFA. Note:  kalinowski_library.dll must be in the same folder as RFA.exe.

To remove RFA from your computer, delete GMA.exe and kalinowski_library.dll.

Citation

As of June, 15, 2004 I am preparing a manuscript describing the statistical techniques used by RFA.

Questions? Need help? Have a suggestion?

I realize this documentation is brief. Please don't hesitate to email me if you have any questions or problems.

skalinowski@montana.edu