GEOGRAPHIC STRUCTURE INSECT POPULATIONS - GENE FLOW, PHYLOGEOGRAPHY, AND THEIR USES

Geographic structure of populations is a fundamental component of ecol ogy and evolution that combines both demographic and genetic processes , such as gene flow and migration, genetic drift, selection, and popul ation extinction. Recent advances in both molecular biology and theory have revolutionized the field and have not only expanded the availabi lity of data but also facilitated accessibility and interpretation of current data. These new techniques allow analysis of genetic similarit y among populations to be coupled with phylogeography and the distribu tion of genotypes within and among populations relative to the history of those genotypes. The numerous case studies described herein illust rate the growing impact of geographic structure on insect science, as well as the importance of insect model systems for understanding gener al concepts in ecology and evolution.