The Role of Population Genetic Structure in Understanding and Managing Pine Beetles

Abstract

Population genetic structure is the study of genetic variation in time and space. Traditionally, population genetic structure assessments provide information on the dispersal of species, mating behaviours and the delimitation of species and population boundaries. As such, the study of population genetic structure in bark beetles has become an important step in the ongoing management of outbreak populations. In this chapter, we review the current state of population genetic structure studies as they relate to bark beetles, with a particular emphasis on pine beetles. Furthermore, we show how pine beetle research may lead the way in promoting a more comprehensive and methodologically inclusive approach to explaining population genetic structure patterns, how they arise and what they might mean in a broader evolutionary context. © 2016 Elsevier Ltd.