artificial selection

artificial selection

n.

Human intervention in animal or plant reproduction to ensure certain characteristics are represented in successive generations.

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artificial selection,

the process by which the genotypes of successive plant and animal generations are determined through controlled breeding. Compare natural selection. See also eugenics.

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selection

1. choosing the individual units to be included in a sample. See also random selection.

2. choosing the animals to be retained for breeding purposes; genetic selection.

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artificial selection

selection based on human decisions.

selection coefficient

proportionate reduction in the average genetic contribution made by a specific genotype, relative to the contribution made by another genotype. Denoted by s.

selection criteria

the animal characteristic which is used in a selection program.

selection differential

a measure of the gain achieved by selection; the phenotypic superiority of selected individuals, compared to the population from which they were selected.

selection index

a single overall estimate of the patient's true breeding value obtained from as many sources of information as are available.

individual selection

selection on the results of performance testing of the subject.

selection intensity

the superiority of the individuals selected for breeding, relative to the population from which they were selected.

selection limit

the situation in which the entire population is homozygous for the same set of favorable genes; called also selection plateau.

selection/mutation balance

when the rate of removal of a gene from the population by selection equals the rate at which mutations occur.

selection plateau

see selection limit.

selection program

the method used to select individuals from a population to be used for breeding. Usually includes nomination of the characters to be selected, the optimum size of the population in which the program is to operate, the intensity of selection available, the accuracy of the selection procedures, lengths of the generations in the species, the target rate of response.