Comparative phylogeography: Molecular methods, ecological interpretation

This brief review of phylogeohraphy - the new field of study concerned with the principles and processing governing the geographic distribution of genealogical lineages (mainly within and among closely related species), is focused on the importance of the ecological approach in understanding of the molecular-genetic data. The comparative phylogeohraphy as one of the most promising lines of investigation in this respect is considered. Comparisons of the phylogeohraphical patterns and ecological traits of representatives of separate ecosystems, regional faunas, systematically close species, "host-parasite" complexes etc. give an opportunity to touch the ground of the microevolutionary processes.