[R-sig-ME] Is a mixed-effects model equivalent to an animal model in which all animals were founders?

[David Duffy]

On Mon, 8 Aug 2011, Manuel Ramon wrote:

> My question is if it will be equivalent an animal model with all
> individuals being considered founders to a mixed-effects model without
> considering the A relationship matrix. In the animal model, if all
> individuals were founders the A matrix will be a identity matrix, so I
> think that both models could be equivalent, but I am not sure.
>
> The purpose of this question is to make use of some specific programs
> (developed to estimated variance components) to run some mixed-effects
> models without considering the relationships among individuals.

Yes.