BIOL 5240 Fall 2005

Ecological Genetics

12/07/05 Study Questions

Stockwell CA, Hendry AP, Kinnison MT. 2003. Contemporary evolution meets conservation biology . Trends in ecology and evolution 18 (2): 94-101

1. Why is contemporary evolution an important consideration for conservation biology?

2. Why is that contemporary evolution was previously considered rare?

3. Explain why each elements of the “Evil Quartet” is important for conservation biology?

4. Why is gene flow descriped as the “Jekyll and Hyde” of conservation?

5. What is meant by “neutral” vs. “adaptive” genetic variation?

6. Why do the authors suggest that there is a tenuous relationship between neutral and adapative genetic varation?