Gene flow

Gene flow is the transfer of alleles between populations through migrating individuals or moving gametes that reproduce. It can change allele frequencies and reduce genetic differences between populations.

Migration: The movement of individuals from one place or population to another. Migrants carry alleles across population boundaries, but gene flow occurs only when they or their gametes reproduce.
Genetic drift: Random changes in allele frequencies caused by chance sampling in finite populations. Drift can differentiate populations, while gene flow tends to make their allele frequencies more similar.
Population genetics: The study of genetic variation within and among populations and how it changes over time. Gene flow is one of the forces population genetics uses to explain changing allele frequencies.
Wildlife corridor: A strip or network of habitat that connects otherwise separated areas used by wildlife. Corridors can enable dispersal and reproduction between fragmented populations.
F-statistics: A family of statistics that describes genetic structure and inbreeding within and among populations. These measures can reveal population differentiation associated with limited gene flow, but do not uniquely identify its cause.
Allele frequency: The proportion of copies of a gene in a population that are a particular allele. Gene flow changes these proportions when incoming alleles become part of the recipient population.
Inbreeding depression: Reduced survival or reproduction caused by mating between related individuals. Gene flow can introduce unrelated alleles and reduce inbreeding in small, isolated populations.
Population: A group of organisms of the same species living in a defined area and capable of interbreeding. Gene flow is defined by the transfer of alleles between such groups.
Habitat fragmentation: The division of continuous habitat into smaller, separated patches. Fragmentation can restrict movement and reduce gene flow among populations.
Isolation by distance: The pattern in which genetic similarity declines as geographic distance between populations increases. It helps distinguish spatial patterns consistent with restricted dispersal from those caused by discrete barriers.

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