Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The inbreeding coefficient (\( F \)) measures the probability that two alleles at a given locus in an individual are identical by descent from a common ancestor.
Sewell Wright's path coefficient method is used to calculate this coefficient from a pedigree.
Key Formula or Approach:
The formula for the inbreeding coefficient of an individual \( I \) is:
\[
F_I = \sum \left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^{n_1 + n_2 + 1} (1 + F_A)
\]
where:
\( n_1 \) is the number of generations from parent 1 to the common ancestor \( A \).
\( n_2 \) is the number of generations from parent 2 to the common ancestor \( A \).
\( F_A \) is the inbreeding coefficient of the common ancestor.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze the pedigree diagram:
Individual \( I \) is the offspring of maternal half-sibs who share a single common ancestor \( C \).
The path of gene transmission is through \( C \), from one parent of \( I \) to \( C \), and then to the other parent of \( I \).
Thus, the number of steps in the pathway is:
\[
n_1 = 1, \quad n_2 = 1
\]
The total exponent is:
\[
n_1 + n_2 + 1 = 1 + 1 + 1 = 3
\]
Using the inbreeding formula:
\[
F_I = \left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^3 (1 + F_C) = \frac{1}{8} (1 + F_C)
\]
We are given that the inbreeding coefficient of \( I \) is \( 0.25 \):
\[
0.25 = \frac{1}{8} (1 + F_C)
\]
Multiply both sides by 8:
\[
2.00 = 1 + F_C \implies F_C = 1.00
\]
This indicates that the common ancestor \( C \) is completely inbred (\( F_C = 1.00 \)), meaning it is entirely homozygous.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The inbreeding coefficient of individual I's common ancestor, C, is 1.00.