Gene Flow in Volant Vertebrates: Species Biology, Ecology and Climate Change

Abstract

Gene fow, the exchange of genetic material between populations is an important biological process, which shapes and maintains biodiversity. The successful movement of individuals between populations depends on multiple factors determined by species biology and the environment. One of the most important factors regulating gene fow is the ability to move, and fight allows individuals to easily move across geographical barriers. Volant vertebrates are found on some of the remotest islands and contribute signifcantly to the biodiversity and ecosystem. The availability of next-generation sequencing data for non-model animals has substantially improved our understanding of gene fow and its consequences, allowing us to look at fne-scale patterns. However, most of our understanding regarding gene fow comes from the temperate regions and the Neotropics. The lack of studies from species-rich Asia is striking. In this review, we outline the importance of gene fow and the factors affecting gene fow, especially for volant vertebrates. We especially discuss research studies from tropical biomes of South and Southeast Asia, highlight the lacuna in literature and provide an outline for future studies in this species-rich region