Beagle is a software package that performs genotype calling, genotype phasing, imputation of ungenotyped markers, and identity-by-descent segment detection.
Beagle version 4.1 has a more accurate genotype phasing algorithm and a very fast and accurate genotype imputation algorithm. Version 4.1 also has several changes to the command line arguments which are described in the release notes. The "ped" argument has no effect in version 4.1. If your data contains nuclear families and you want to model the parent-offspring relationships when phasing genotypes, please use version 4.0.
If you use Beagle 4.1 in a published analysis, please report the program version and cite the appropriate article.
The citation for Beagle's phasing algorithm is:
S R Browning and B L Browning (2007) Rapid and accurate haplotype phasing and missing data inference for whole genome association studies by use of localized haplotype clustering. Am J Hum Genet 81:1084-1097.doi:10.1086/521987
The citation for Beagle's genotype imputation algorithm is:
B L Browning and S R Browning (2016). Genotype imputation with millions of reference samples. Am J Hum Genet 98:116-126.doi:10.1016/j.ajhg.2015.11.020
The citation for Beagle's IBD detection algorithm is:
B L Browning and S R Browning (2013). Improving the accuracy and efficiency of identity-by-descent detection in population data. Genetics 194(2):459-71.doi:10.1534/genetics.113.150029