The heritability for egg weight in a group of chickens on a

The heritability for egg weight in a group of chickens on a farm in Maine is 0.95. Are the following statements regarding heritability true or false? If a statement is false, explain why.

Nearly all of the phenotypic variance for this trait in this group of chickens is due to genetic variance.

The trait is polygenic and likely to involve a large number of genes.

Based on the observation of the heritability in the Maine chickens, it is reasonable to conclude that the heritability for egg weight in a group of chickens on a farm in Montana is also very high.

Solution

Heritability is the estimate of percent of total phenotypic variation caused due to breeding value. Heritability is also defined as part of selection differential inherited from parent to offspring. The heritability is said to be high and the performance of progeny for a trait is a good estimate than the performance of the parent. Realized heritability is the part actually obtained and compared to that was attempted in selection.

Nearly all of the phenotypic variance for this trait in this group of chickens is due to genetic variance.: True. The genetic varaition from parent to offspring due to selection result in variation in performance and is called heritability.

The trait is polygenic and likely to involve a large number of genes: True. In chicken, number of eggs reflect the size of eggs. It is a polygenic trait influenced by genetic selection and some environmental factors.

Based on the observation of the heritability in the Maine chickens, it is reasonable to conclude that the heritability for egg weight in a group of chickens on a farm in Montana is also very high: False. This is because, the heritability in Maine is influenced by artificial selection and environmental influence. These conditions may differ in Montana and therefore, heritability may not be same in Maine chickens and chickens in farm of Montana.