Population genetics has provided a comprehensive understanding of how fundamental evolutionary processes such as mutation, selection, recombination, and genetic drift interact to shape evolutionary dynamics and patterns of genetic variation in populations. However, many classic results in the field rely on the simplifying assumption that populations are unstructured and randomly mating. Real-world populations, by contrast, often extend across large geographic ranges, where individuals are more likely to mate with those born nearby. In this talk, I will present three recent projects that illustrate the profound effects such continuous spatial structure can have on evolutionary processes. In the first project, we study the impact of spatial structure on selective sweeps and their signatures in population genomic data, showing how limited dispersal can slow the spread of adaptive alleles and generate patterns that resemble so-called soft selective sweeps. In the second project, we examine how heterogeneous landscapes can give rise to source-sink dynamics that can dramatically reduce coalescence times and distort patterns of genetic diversity. Finally, I will present our work on the spatiotemporal dynamics and invasiveness of gene drives in populations that inhabit continuous geographic ranges.

Registration

The event is open to all interested and free of charge by prior registration. You can sign up here.

• Deadline for registration: Wednesday 15 April 2026.

Contact

Anna Maria Langmüller, AIAS-AUFF Fellow
E-mail: annamaria.langmueller@aias.au.dk 

Aarhus Institute of Advanced Studies, AIAS
Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 6B
DK-8000 Aarhus C
Denmark