A geographical genetics framework for inferring homing reproductive behavior in fishes.

One of the most intriguing patterns of migration and gene flow that affects genetic structure is the reproductive homing behavior of fishes, wherein the adults return to the areas in which they were spawned. Here we reviewed the literature on homing behavior in fish and propose an analytical framework for testing hypotheses regarding this behavior and its effects on the genetic structure of fish in an explicit geographical context, using a geographical genetics toolbox. Although disentangling the many potential causes underlying genetic population structure and unambiguously demonstrating that the homing behavior causes these genetic patterns is difficult, our framework allows the successive testing of homing behavior with increasing levels of complexity based on the following: (1) establishment of population structures among waterheads; (2) patterns of genetic variability throughout the adult migratory pool; (3) analyses of the non-migratory adult pool; and (4) comparisons among successive generations.