GENETIC VARIATION AND POPULATION GENETIC STRUCTURE OF MUSKRAT, ONDATRA ZIBETHICUS, AT DIFFERENT SPATIAL SCALES

Understanding the factors and processes that influence intraspecific genetic variation are essential to better understand evolutionary processes. In this research, I examined patterns of gene flow and their effects on the distribution of genetic variation and spatial genetic structuring at different spatial scales. I used a combination of population genetics, spatial analysis, morphometrics and phylogeography in order to understand the patterns of genetic variation and their resulting phenotypic variations in a semi-aquatic species, the muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus).