Mechanistic mapping of ontogenetic growth based on biological principles.

Ontogenetic growth can be described by mathematical equations constructed on the goodness of fit. Recently, the biological mechanism underlying mathematical growth equations has been explored using basic cellular properties. Here, we derive a general statistical model for understanding the genetic regulation of ontogenetic growth by integrating those biologically-proven meaningful growth equations into a quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping framework. We can characterize the dynamic patterns of effects of QTL governing growth curves and estimate the global effect of the underlying QTL throughout the entire course of growth. The model provides the basis for deciphering genetic relationships for growth rates and the timing of life history events for any kind of organisms.