Estimation of the effective number of breeders per reproductive event (N_b) using single sample DNA-marker-based methods has rapidly grown in recent years. However, estimating N_b is difficult in age-structured populations because the performance of estimators is influenced by the N_b / N_e ratio, which varies among species with different life histories. We provide a computer program, AgeStrucNb, to simulate age-structured populations (including life history) and also estimate N_b. The AgeStrucNb program is composed of 4 major components to simulate, subsample, estimate, and then visualize N_b time series data. AgeStrucNb allows users to also quantify the precision and accuracy of any set of loci or sample size to estimate N_b for many species and populations. AgeStrucNb allows users to conduct power analysis to evaluate sensitivity to detect changes in N_b or the power to detect a correlation between trends in N_b and environmental variables (e.g., temperature, habitat quality, predator or pathogen abundance) that could be driving changes in N_b. The software provides N_b estimates for empirical data sets using the LDNe (linkage disequilibrium) method, includes publication-quality output graphs, and outputs genotype files in Genepop format for use in other programs. AgeStrucNb will help advance the application of genetic markers for monitoring N_b, which will help biologists to detect population declines and growth, which is crucial for research and conservation of natural and managed populations.

中文翻译：

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AgeStrucNb：用于模拟和检测育种者有效数量（N _b）变化的软件

近年来，使用基于单个样本DNA标记的方法估算每个生殖事件（N _b）育种者的有效数量已迅速增长。然而，估计Ñ _b因为估计器的性能由影响在年龄结构种群难以Ñ _b / Ñ _ë比，这与不同的生活史物种的不同而不同。我们提供计算机程序AgeStrucNb，以模拟年龄结构化的人口（包括生活史）并估算N _b。该AgeStrucNb程序被形象化由4个主要组分，以模拟，子样品，估计，然后N _b个时间序列数据。AgeStrucNb允许用户量化任何基因座或样本大小的精确度和准确性，以估计许多物种和种群的N _b。AgeStrucNb允许用户行为功率分析来评价灵敏度以检测变化Ñ _b或电源以检测趋势之间的相关性Ñ _b和环境变量（例如，温度，栖息地质量，捕食或病原体丰度），可以在被驱动的变化ñ _b。该软件提供N _b使用LDNe（链接不平衡）方法对经验数据集进行估计，包括出版物质量的输出图，并以Genepop格式输出基因型文件，以供其他程序使用。AgeStrucNb将有助于推动遗传标记的应用监测ñ _b，这将有助于生物学家探测人口下降和增长，这是自然的和管理的种群的研究和保护是至关重要的。