This book introduces readers to classical population genetics and the ways in which it can be
applied to practical problems including testing for natural selection genetic drift genetic
differentiation population structuring gene flow and linkage disequilibrium. It provides a
comprehensive monograph on the topic addressing the theory applications and evolutionary
deductions which are clearly explained using experimental results. It also offers separate
chapters on origin establishment and spread of chromosomal aberrations in populations along
with details of culturing maintaining and using Drosophila ananassae (genetically unique and
the most commonly used species along with D. melanogaster ) for genetic research. Encompassing
topics like genetics evolution Drosophila genetics population genetics population
structuring natural selection and genetic drift in considerable detail it provides a valuable
resource to undergraduate and postgraduate students as well as researchers at all level.This
book explores some fundamental questions concerning the role of natural selection and genetic
drift on the degree of inversion polymorphism. India with its wide diversity in geo-climatic
conditions provides an excellent platform to conduct such studies. The book showcases sampling
records of inversion frequencies in natural Indian populations of D. ananassae that cover more
than two decades. It highlights case studies in which sampling data on inversion frequencies
was combined with that from earlier surveys generating a time series that allows the
evolutionary dynamics of inversion polymorphism to be explored. Such long time series are rare
but nonetheless crucial for studying the evolutionary dynamics of inversion polymorphism. The
population-genetic analysis discussed is unprecedented in terms of its temporal (two decades)
and spatial (most regions of India covered) scale and investigates the patterns of polymorphic
system in D. ananassaeto see if there is any temporal divergence. It endeavors to present a
holistic picture of inversion polymorphism across the country (India).Chromosomal aberrations
particularly paracentric inversions are used as a tool for discussing population genetic
studies helping human geneticists gynecologists and other medical professionals understand
why some aberrations are fatal in humans with affected embryos often not surviving the first
trimester of pregnancy while similar aberrations in Drosophila flies aid in their adaptation
to the environmental heterogeneity across the globe.
