Special Issue "Advances in Molecular Ecology"

Guest Editor
Prof. Dr. Olivier François
Grenoble INP, TIMC-IMAG, Faculty of Medicine, F38706 La Tronche, France
Website: http://membres-timc.imag.fr/Olivier.Francois/
E-Mail:

Dear Colleagues,

Molecular ecology is a recent discipline concerned with the application of molecular and evolutionary biology to questions in ecology. Contributions in molecular ecology utilize DNA, gene expression data and quantitative traits for inference about ecological and evolutionary processes in the field.

The "Advances in Molecular Ecology" issue will consider studies of natural variation, demographic processes, molecular adaptation, population structure and phylogeography, environmental genomics, landscape genetics and biodiversity. Submission of theoretical studies using computer simulations and developing new analytical methods are also encouraged.

Prof. Dr. Olivier François
Guest Editor

Submission

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. Papers will be published continuously (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are refereed through a peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed Open Access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1400 CHF (Swiss Francs).

• phylogenetics
• population genomics
• landscape genetics
• conservation genetics
• gene flow and hybridization
• molecular adaptation
• molecular markers
• evolutionary responses to changes in environmental conditions

Type of Paper: Review
Title: Applications and Implications of Neutral Versus Non-Neutral Markers in Molecular Ecology
Authors: Heather Kirk and Joanna Freeland
Affiliation: Department of Biology, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada; E-Mails: heatherkirk@trentu.ca (H.K.); joannafreeland@trentu.ca (J.F.)
Abstract: The field of molecular ecology has expanded enormously in the past two decades, largely because of the growing ease with which neutral molecular genetic data can be obtained from organisms.  However, there is also a growing awareness that neutral molecular data can provide only partial insight into parameters such as genetic diversity, local adaptation, evolutionary potential, effective population size, and taxonomic designations.  Here I review some of the applications of neutral versus adaptive markers in molecular ecology, summarize new methods that are enabling researchers to generate data from genes that are under selection, and comment on what we know so far about the overall congruence between neutral and non-neutral data sets.

Type of Paper: Review
Title: MHC Markers in Conservation Biology
Authors: Beata Ujvari and Katherine Belov
Affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Australia; E-Mails: beata.ujvari@sydney.edu.au (B.U.); kathy.belov@sydney.edu.au (K.B.)
Abstract: Human impacts through habitat destruction, introduction of invasive species and climate change are increasing the number of species worldwide threatened with extinction. Decreases in population size simultaneously lead to reductions in genetic diversity ultimately reducing the ability of populations to adapt to a changing environment. In this way, loss of genetic polymorphism is linked with extinction risk. Recent advances in sequencing technologies, means that obtaining measures of genetic diversity at functionally important genes is within reach for conservation programs. A key region of the genome that should be targeted for population genetic studies is the Major Histocompatibilty Complex (MHC). MHC genes, found in all jawed vertebrates, are the most polymorphic genes in vertebrate genomes. They play key roles in immune function via immune-recognition and –surveillance and host-parasite interaction. Therefore, measuring levels of polymorphism at these genes can provide indirect measures of the immunological fitness of a population. The MHC has also been linked with mate-choice and pregnancy outcomes and has application for improving mating success in captive breeding programs. The recent discovery that genetic diversity at MHC genes may protect against the spread of contagious cancers provides an added impetus for managing and protecting MHC diversity in wild populations. Here we review the field and focus on the successful applications of MHC-typing for conservation management. We emphasize the importance of using MHC markers when planning and executing wildlife rescue and conservation programs but stress that this should not be done to the detriment of diversity genome-wide.