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Feature Papers in the Population and Evolutionary Genetics and Genomics...
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Feature Papers in the Population and Evolutionary Genetics and Genomics Field 2026

A special issue of Genes (ISSN 2073-4425). This special issue belongs to the section "Population and Evolutionary Genetics and Genomics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2026 | Viewed by 2395

Editors

Prof. Dr. Zissis Mamuris

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, 41500 Larissa, Greece
Interests: population genetics; biodiversity; evolution; molecular markers; animal genomics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Maria-Anna Kyrgiafini

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, 41500 Larissa, Greece
Interests: male infertility; animal genomics; evolution; genetics; non-coding RNAs
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The rapid expansion of high-resolution genomic data, coupled with advances in statistical and computational methodologies, is transforming our understanding of evolutionary processes across biological systems. Contemporary populations and evolutionary genetics now operate at unprecedented scales, enabling the dissection of complex demographic histories, adaptive architectures, and the molecular basis of divergence with increasing precision.

This Special Issue, “Feature Papers in the Population and Evolutionary Genetics and Genomics Field 2026”, seeks to showcase outstanding contributions that advance conceptual, methodological, and empirical research in the field. We aim to highlight studies that elucidate the genetic and genomic mechanisms underlying population structure, evolutionary change, and speciation.

We particularly encourage submissions that integrate high-throughput sequencing technologies, genome-wide analyses, quantitative modeling, and interdisciplinary perspectives to address fundamental and emerging questions in evolutionary biology. Contributions bridging theoretical frameworks with empirical data, or linking genomic variation to ecological, phenotypic, and environmental contexts, are especially welcome.

We invite original research articles and comprehensive reviews covering, but not limited to, population structure and demographic inference, patterns and determinants of genetic diversity, evolutionary genomics and genome-wide variation, natural and sexual selection across spatial and temporal scales, local adaptation and adaptive evolution, speciation, hybridization, and reproductive isolation, quantitative, functional, and comparative genomics in evolutionary contexts, etc.

Through this curated collection, we aim to present rigorous and innovative research that deepens our understanding of evolutionary dynamics across natural, managed, and experimental populations.

Prof. Dr. Zissis Mamuris
Guest Editor

Dr. Maria-Anna Kyrgiafini
Guest Editor Assistant

Manuscript Submission Information

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. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Genes 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 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • population genetics
  • evolutionary genomics
  • genetic diversity
  • adaptation
  • natural selection

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 1732 KB  
Article
Population Genetic Differentiation and Runs of Homozygosity Analysis of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus in Southwest China
by Siqi Li, Xiaoyu Li, Yuan Feng, Xiaolei Ding, Jianren Ye and Yuchen Pei
Genes 2026, 17(4), 443; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes17040443 - 12 Apr 2026
Viewed by 535
Abstract
Background: Pine wilt disease (PWD), caused by the pine wood nematode (PWN, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus), is a devastating forest disease. It has been reported in five provincial-level regions in Southwest China (Chongqing, Guizhou, Sichuan, Yunnan, and Tibet), threatening local pine forest ecosystems. [...] Read more.
Background: Pine wilt disease (PWD), caused by the pine wood nematode (PWN, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus), is a devastating forest disease. It has been reported in five provincial-level regions in Southwest China (Chongqing, Guizhou, Sichuan, Yunnan, and Tibet), threatening local pine forest ecosystems. Methods: To unravel the population genetic variation and population differentiation of PWN isolates in this region, we purified eighty-one isolates for whole-genome resequencing and bioinformatics analysis, identifying candidate genes associated with runs of homozygosity (ROH). Results: Population structure analysis clustered the 81 isolates into three distinct genetic groups (Groups 1, 2, and 3). Notably, Group 1 exhibited fewer and shorter ROH segments compared to Groups 2 and 3, indicating higher genetic diversity and a different inbreeding history. Functional annotation of genes overlapping ROH regions revealed that Group 1 contained a subset of the genes identified in Groups 2 and 3, primarily enriched in specific molecular function categories. Conclusions: The PWN populations in Southwest China exhibit genetic differentiation, forming three distinct groups. Group 1 shows a reduced ROH burden and lower inbreeding levels, whereas Groups 2 and 3 display more extensive ROH patterns that may reflect historical demographic processes or potential adaptive selection. The differential distribution of ROH-associated genes across groups suggests possible variation in historical demographic processes and could suggest possible directional selection. These findings contribute to understanding the population history and genomic characteristics of PWN in Southwest China, providing insights that could support disease management strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in the Population and Evolutionary Genetics and Genomics Field 2026)
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20 pages, 15967 KB  
Article
The Complete Mitochondrial Genomes of Two Octopi of the Western Pacific Ocean, Japetella diaphana and Amphitretus pelagicus (Cephalopoda: Amphitretidae), and Their Phylogenetic Position Within Amphitretidae
by Michel Murwanashyaka, Lihua Jiang, Liyi Pei and Bilin Liu
Genes 2026, 17(3), 312; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes17030312 - 10 Mar 2026
Viewed by 1321
Abstract
Background/Objectives: A comprehensive analysis of the mitochondrial genomes of Japetella diaphana and Amphitretus pelagicus was conducted to investigate their genomic composition, gene size, sequence characteristics, and phylogenetic positioning within the Amphitretidae family. Methods: A rigorous phylogenetic analysis was performed utilizing a dataset comprising [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: A comprehensive analysis of the mitochondrial genomes of Japetella diaphana and Amphitretus pelagicus was conducted to investigate their genomic composition, gene size, sequence characteristics, and phylogenetic positioning within the Amphitretidae family. Methods: A rigorous phylogenetic analysis was performed utilizing a dataset comprising 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNAs, and 22 transfer RNAs derived from 26 cephalopod mitochondrial genomes, representing 25 species across seven families, Vampyroteuthidae, Tremoctopodidae, Octopodidae, Enteroctopodidae, Bolitaenidae, Argonautidae, and Amphitretidae, along with outgroup Nautilus macromphalus. Results: Notably, both focal species demonstrated a pronounced adenine–thymine bias in their mitochondrial genomes, with A. pelagicus exhibiting gene rearrangements and two extensive non-coding regions. The analysis, employing both the maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methodologies, revealed a monophyletic relationship between Bolitaenidae and Vitreledonellidae, as well as a sister taxon relationship between Amphitretidae and Tremoctopodidae. The majority of species were classified into the Amphitretidae and Bolitaenidae clades, with numerous species exhibiting close phylogenetic relationships. Conclusions: This study provides novel insights into the evolutionary relationships within Octopodiformes, underscoring the significance of mitochondrial genome data in resolving phylogenetic relationships among cephalopods. The findings contribute to our understanding of the evolutionary history of octopi and pose implications for their classification and conservation. Furthermore, the results underscore the necessity for continued research into the evolutionary relationships among cephalopod taxa. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in the Population and Evolutionary Genetics and Genomics Field 2026)
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