Ecological Genetics

Ecological Genetics addresses the fundamental problems of which of the many molecular markers should be used and how the resulting data should be analysed in clear, accessible language, suitable for upper-level undergraduates through to research-level professionals.

• A very accessible straightforward text to deal with this difficult topic - applying modern molecular techniques to ecological processes.
• Written by active researchers and teachers within the field.
• There will be an accompanying web site managed by the authors, comprising of worked examples, test data sets and hyperlinks to relevant web pages.

Preface vii

Abbreviations x

1 Ecological genetics 1

Summary 1

1.1 What is ecological genetics? 1

1.2 Why study ecological genetics? 3

References 4

2 Markers and sampling in ecological genetics 6

Summary 6

2.1 Introduction 6

2.2 Methods of data generation 7

2.3 Principles of sampling 15

2.4Practice 20

2.5 Within-population sampling 22

2.6 Among-population sampling 34

2.7 Power analysis 34

2.8 Further reading 35

Essential methods information 36

References 45

3 Genetic diversity and differentiation 52

Summary 52

3.1 Introduction 52

3.2 Factors influencing diversity and differentiation 53

3.3 The Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium 58

3.4Genetic diversity 62

3.5 Genetic differentiation 69

3.6 Genetic distance 81

3.7 Statistical approaches 86

3.8 Use of genetic diversity statistics 89

3.9 Concluding remarks 100

3.10 Further reading 100

References 100

4 Gene flow and mating system 106

Summary 106

4.1 Introduction 106

4.2 Factors governing gene flow 107

4.3 Considerations for measuring gene flow 115

4.4 Measuring gene flow – indirect estimates 122

4.5 Measuring gene flow – direct estimates 134

4.6 The importance of biological and environmental factors on gene flow 143

References 145

5 Intraspecific phylogenies and phylogeography 150

Summary 150

5.1 Introduction 150

5.2 Homology, gene trees, and species trees 157

5.3 Tree form and building 159

5.4Tree interpretation 170

5.5 Organelle versus nuclear intraspecific phylogenies 179

5.6 Further reading 180

Essential methods information 181

References 185

6 Speciation and hybridization 189

Summary 189

6.1 Introduction 189

6.2 Species 190

6.3 Speciation 194

6.4 Hybridization 204

6.5 Analysis of speciation and hybridization 206

6.6 Future developments 233

6.7 Further reading 233

References 233

7 Case studies in ecological genetics: Lycaenid butterflies, ragworts, bears, and oaks 243

Summary 243

7.1 Introduction 244

7.2 Lycaenid butterflies 244

7.3 European ragworts 257

7.4Brown bears 265

7.5 European oaks 274

References 292

Appendix A: Data analysis software 300

Appendix B: Which distance algorithm should be used and when? 306

Glossary 313

Index 320

Molecular ecologists finally have a text-book that deals with their discipline. Ecological Genetics fills the market-gap between general accounts of evolutionary biology and specialist texts focusing on individual research topics. The authors have brought together a useful mix of theory, practical approaches, conceptual issues, and individual case studies to provide a balanced and accessible overview of the field. Peter Hollingsworth, Royal Botanic Garden

"This book is a pleasure to read: it is clearly written, well organized and leaves no ambiguity." Andre A Dhondt, Cornell University, Trends in Ecology and Evolution, August 2004

"This book is a well-written, comprehensive overview of the essential techniques underlying ecological genetics. I would certainly recommend it to any new student undertaking postgraduate study in the field of molecular ecology." Dr. Jim Provan, Queen's University Belfast

Dr Andrew Lowe recently took up a position as Research Lecturer in Ecological Genetics at the University of Queensland, Australia, after serving as a Senior Scientific Research Officer at the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Edinburgh, UK. He manages a global network of highly regarded research projects on speciation and hybridization, range-wide phylogeography and fine-scale population gene dynamics, and has published more than 50 articles and papers on these subjects in scientific journals and books.

Dr Stephen Harris is Druce Curator of the Oxford University Herbaria, UK. As a University Research Lecturer he teaches in plant conservation genetics, and his research interests are molecular systematics, conservation genetics, and the effects of human activities on plant genetic variation and speciation. He has published more than 50 articles and papers on these subjects in scientific journals and books.

Dr Paul Ashton is a Senior Lecturer in Botany at Edge Hill College of Higher Education, UK. He was instrumental in implementing one of the UK’s first degree programs in Conservation Biology. He is also an Associate Lecturer with the Open University and has recently developed a small research group to continue his long-held interests in plant speciation and introgression, while developing new interests in conservation genetics.

The use of molecular markers has revolutionized ecological genetics in the last 20 years. The fundamental problem facing new researchers is which of the many markers should be used and how the resulting data should then be analyzed. Until now, these guidelines have been hidden away in specialist journals. Ecological Genetics addresses this fundamental problem in clear, accessible language, suitable for upper-level undergraduates through to research-level professionals.

The major topics in Ecological Genetics are treated within separate chapters, including:

• genetic diversity of populations and species
• gene flow
• phylogeography, and
• speciation

Within each chapter the potentially suitable molecular markers are described and the resulting data from each type of marker are discussed, including the underlying concepts of the various modes of analysis. These are illustrated with examples from both the plant and animal kingdoms.

Researchers embarking on molecular approaches to ecological genetics (for instance, final-year undergraduates and new postgraduates) will find the book essential, and more experienced researchers will also find it of interest.