Nucella lapillus: A possible model for the study of genetic variation in natural populations

The explanation of the maintenance of the large amount of genetic variation in natural populations is a major problem faced by evolutionary geneticists. It is proposed that Nucella lapillus would make a suitable model for the study of this problem. The presence of visible interpopulation variation in characteristics which can be utilised for such studies, is demonstrated at a particular geographic location. The importance of experimental design in studying genetic variation is emphasised.