Phylogeography Flashcards
Define phylogeography.
Phylogenetics within species with the aim of understanding historical processes that account for the present day distribution of genetic variation.
Define vicariance.
Separation of populations preventing gene flow among subpopulations.
Define dispersal.
The movement of individuals from their birth site allowing for gene flow.
What mappings of phylogeny are caused by vicariance and dispersal?
Vicariance leads to neat mapping of geography onto haplotypes.
Dispersal leads to poor mapping of geography onto haplotypes.
Why is studying phylogeography useful?
Can infer evolutionary history of populations and provide insights on current relationships among populations.
What is the main molecular marker in phylogeographic studies of animals?
mtDNA
What are some features of using mtDNA as a marker?
Maternally inherited. High mutation rates. No recombination. Easy to amplify. Great for animals.
What is the main molecular marker in phylogeographic studies of plants?
cpDNA
What is coalescent theory?
Tracing alleles back in time to a single common ancestor.
What is coalescent theory used for?
To estimate the time (number of generations) since lineages coalesced.
What were the refugial sites in Europe during the Pleistocene Ice Age (18,000-20,000 years ago)?
The Iberian Peninsula, the Appenine Peninsula and the Balkan Peninsula.
Why is there less genetic diversity in the northern latitudes? Consider the effects of the last ice age.
Small populations lived in refugia further south. When the ice melted some recolonised but as they travelled they were serially bottlenecked
How is phylogeography important in the control of invasive Rhododendrons in Britain?
The genomes of the plants can be analysed and then used to locate the source of the invasive plants.
