Understanding the processes that generate and maintain genetic variation within populations is a central goal in evolutionary biology. Theory predicts that some of this variation is maintained as a consequence of adapting to variable habitats. Studies in herbivorous insects have played a key role in confirming this prediction. Here, we highlight theoretical and conceptual models for the maintenance of genetic diversity in herbivorous insects, empirical genomic studies testing these models, and pressing questions within the realm of evolutionary and functional genomic studies. To address key gaps, we propose an integrative approach combining population genomic scans for adaptation, genome-wide characterization of targets of selection through experimental manipulations, mapping the genetic architecture of traits influencing fitness, and functional studies. We also stress the importance of studying the maintenance of genetic variation across biological scales-from variation within populations to divergence among populations-to form a comprehensive view of adaptation in herbivorous insects.

中文翻译：

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草食性昆虫遗传多样性产生和维持的基因组学观点

了解在种群内产生和维持遗传变异的过程是进化生物学的一个核心目标。理论预测，由于适应了不同的栖息地，这种变化中的一部分得以保持。对食草昆虫的研究在证实这一预测方面发挥了关键作用。在这里，我们重点介绍了维持食草昆虫遗传多样性的理论和概念模型、测试这些模型的实证基因组研究，以及进化和功能基因组研究领域内的紧迫问题。为了解决关键差距，我们提出了一种综合方法，结合群体基因组扫描进行适应，通过实验操作对选择目标进行全基因组表征，绘制影响适应度的性状的遗传结构，和功能研究。我们还强调了研究跨生物尺度维持遗传变异的重要性——从种群内的变异到种群之间的差异——以形成草食性昆虫适应的综合观点。