Evolutionary Applications has published a new issue exploring the ways in which evolutionary biology addresses biological questions of health, social and economic relevance.  The issue features an image of a young wood frog on its cover.  Editor-in-Chief: Louis Bernatchez has highlighted the articles below as particularly noteworthy:

 Molecular genetics and genomics generate new insights into invertebrate pest invasions by Heather Kirk, Silvia Dorn and Dominique Mazzi
Summary: This article reviews current applications of molecular genetics and genomics in the study of invertebrate pest invasions and outbreaks, and highlights shortcomings from the current body of research. It also discusses recent conceptual and methodological advances in the areas of molecular genetics/genomics and data analysis and highlights how these advances will enhance our understanding of these areas.

 Evolutionary dynamics of a rapidly receding southern range boundary in the threatened California Red-Legged Frog (Rana draytonii) by Jonathan Q. Richmond, Kelly R. Barr, Adam R. Backlin, Amy G. Vandergast and Robert N. Fisher
Summary: This study reviews the extensive decline in populations of the California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii) since the 1960s due to contemporary disturbance. The authors conclude that while the effects of recent disturbance have left little genetic imprint on these populations, they likely contribute to an extinction debt that will lead to continued range contraction unless management intervenes to stall or reverse the process.

 Genetic and life-history changes associated with fisheries-induced population collapse by Lilian Pukk, Anna Kuparinen, Leili Järv, Riho Gross and Anti Vasemägi
Summary: This article investigates the evolutinary consequences of intensive fishing simultaneously at phenotypic and molecular level in Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis L.) population in the Baltic Sea over a 24-year period. This study demonstrates the value of combining genetic and phenotypic analyses in the context of long-term genetic monitoring and suggests that replacement or breakdown of locally adapted gene complexes may play important role in impeding the recovery of fish populations.

In 2013 we have expanded the scope of Evolutionary Applications. As before, we are keen to encourage papers applying concepts from evolutionary biology to address biological questions of health, social and economic relevance across a vast array of applied disciplines. We now also strongly encourage submissions of papers making use of modern molecular and genetic methods to address important questions in an applied evolutionary framework. For more information please visit the aims and scopes page.

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