This study will investigate the mitochondrial variation of Trimerotropis saxatilis. This grasshopper is found in subdivided populations throughout its range. Ecological experiments have determined that population size is smaller than expected from previous genetic studies and suggest gene flow is nonexistent. Mitochondrial DNA is a non-recombining molecule, so nested cladograms of mitochondrial haplotypes will be constructed and tested for significant differences at a variety of levels. Indirect methods of estimating gene flow and the coalescent theory will be used to determine whether "historical events" (e.g. bottlenecks) have taken place in the past or whether gene flow is ongoing, but rare. Populations throughout the range of T. saxatilis will be sampled in order to compare the genetic variation found at the extremes of the range to that in the center. Aside from questions pertaining specifically to T. saxatilis, this study has broader applications to the field of conservation genetics. T. saxatilis populations have undergone habitat fragmentation in the last few thousand years due to climate change. The statistical methods developed and used in this project can be used to assess the genetic status of endangered species.
