Genetic distance

Genetic distance is a measure of the genetic divergence between species or between populations within a species. Populations with many similar alleles have small genetic distances. This indicates that they are closely related and have a recent common ancestor. Populations with fewer common alleles have greater genetic distances, which indicates that they are more distantly related.

Pronunciation

• IPA: /dʒɪˈnɛtɪk ˈdɪstəns/

Etymology

The term "genetic distance" is derived from the words "genetic", which comes from the Greek word "genetikos" meaning "genitive" and "distance", which comes from the Old French "distance", meaning "a space between".

Related Terms

• Allele
• Genetic divergence
• Common ancestor
• Population genetics

See Also

• Molecular clock
• Phylogenetics
• Evolutionary biology

References

• Nei, M. (1972). "Genetic Distance between Populations". The American Naturalist. 106 (949): 283–292. doi:10.1086/282771.

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Genetic distance
• Wikipedia's article - Genetic distance

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