This is the opening paper in the special issue of Fungal Diversity, which collates the data on
defining species. Defining and recognizing species has long been a controversial issue …

Speciation, the evolution of reproductive isolation among populations, is continuous,
complex, and involves multiple, interacting barriers. Until it is complete, the effects of this …

In recent years, scientists have realized that evolution can occur on timescales much shorter
than the" long lapse of ages" emphasized by Darwin—in fact, evolutionary change is …

Gene flow is a fundamental evolutionary force in adaptation that is especially important to
understand as humans are rapidly changing both the natural environment and natural levels …

Emergence of polyphagous herbivorous insects entails significant adaptation to recognize,
detoxify and digest a variety of host-plants. Despite of its biological and practical importance …

The origin of biological diversity, via the formation of new species, can be inextricably linked
to adaptation to the ecological environment. Specifically, ecological processes are central to …

Empirical population genetic studies have been dominated by a neutralist view, according to
which gene flow and drift are the main forces driving population genetic structure in nature …

Phenotypic plasticity (the ability of a single genotype to produce multiple phenotypes in
response to variation in the environment) is commonplace. Yet its evolutionary significance …

Although much progress has been made in identifying the genes (and, in rare cases,
mutations) that contribute to phenotypic variation, less is known about the effects that these …

Ecological processes are central to the formation of new species when barriers to gene flow
(reproductive isolation) evolve between populations as a result of ecologically‐based …