PEDAGOG

PEDAGOG simulates individual-based population dynamics to model genotype, pedigree, and trait evolution under demographic, genetic, and selective processes.

Key Features:

• Individual-Based Simulations: Simulates populations at the individual level and records genotype, pedigree, and trait information for each individual.
• Trait Heritability and Selection: Supports specification of heritable traits and simulation of natural and sexual selection acting on those traits.
• Genetic and Demographic Parameters: Allows definition of genetic diversity, demographic structures, mating designs, and individual growth models with parameters drawn from 12 statistical distributions.
• Error Incorporation: Incorporates genetic and demographic errors into simulation outputs to represent biological uncertainty.
• Flexible Demographic Modeling: Models demographics using age-based or function-based parameters.
• Output Formatting: Automatically formats simulation results for compatibility with 57 existing software programs.

Scientific Applications:

• Power Analysis: Evaluates statistical power to detect effects and supports optimization of experimental design.
• Validation of Inferences: Validates hypotheses and inferences from eco-evolutionary models by comparing simulated outcomes with empirical data.

Methodology:

Employs individual-based modeling (IBM), records detailed genetic and phenotypic information, samples parameters from 12 statistical distributions, and incorporates genetic and demographic errors into simulations.