Bayesian Hierarchical Modeling of Yield in Incomplete Diallel Crosses of the Pacific Oyster Crassostrea Gigas.

Yin, X., and D. Hedgecock. 2019. Bayesian hierarchical modeling of yield in incomplete diallel crosses of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas. Aquaculture 510:43-50.

The Pacific oyster shows dramatic hybrid vigor for yield and potential for rapid improvement through crossbreeding. Hybrid vigor is assessed by crossing inbred parent lines, acting as male and female parents, in all possible combinations; such a cross is called a “diallel.” Traditional statistical methods for analyzing diallel crosses are sensitive to missing information, which is common in practice. In this paper, part of the Ph.D. dissertation of Xiaoshen Yin, we use computer simulations to test the ability of a Bayesian hierarchical model to predict offspring and to rank parent lines. This model accurately predicts yield of offspring present in incomplete diallels and helps identify superior parent lines.