Complex traits are the features whose properties are determined by both genetic and environmental factors. Generally,complex traits include the classical quantitative traits with continuous distribution, the binary or categorical traits withdiscrete distribution controlled by polygene and other traits that cannot be measured exactly, such as behavior andpsychology. Most human complex diseases and most economically important traits in plants and animals belong to thecategory. Understanding the molecular basis of complex traits plays a vital role in the genetic improvement of plant andanimal breeding. In this article, the conception and research background of complex traits were summarized, and thestrategies, methods and the great progress that had been made in dissecting genetic basis of complex traits were reviewed.The challenges and possible developments in future researches were also discussed.
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