Marine ecosystems are dramatically shaped by geological and climatic shifts, as well as human-induced constructions that have historically enabled marine species to colonize previously inaccessible environments. Notably, events like the last glacial maximum had profound impacts on marine fish populations in the Atlantic, compelling species to migrate towards equatorial refuges or persist in peri-glacial hideouts until they could recolonize their current habitats. These patterns of migration and isolation have often led to restricted gene flow due to biogeographic barriers, a topic that has been extensively explored through phylogeographic studies. These studies typically reveal that genetic subdivision within marine species correlates more significantly with historical and ecological factors than with current physical barriers, although the specific influences vary across different life-history strategies within marine taxa.

This Research Topic aims to delves deeper into how these biogeographic barriers and historical processes influence marine fish distributions and their evolutionary trajectories. Despite the apparent continuities in the marine realm, significant phylogeographic breaks are often observed within species, suggesting historical barriers to dispersal that are currently invisible. Phylogeography provides a framework for identifying such patterns, contributing to the management and conservation of genetic lineages and potentially cryptic species. Additionally, through comparative phylogeography and historical biogeography, this research can consolidate our understanding of speciation by pinpointing crucial phylogeographic breaks and zones of genetic contact.

To gather further insights in these complex interactions between marine species and their environments, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
o The impact of historical, geological, and oceanographic factors on marine fish gene flow
o Comparative phylogeography to identify and analyze phylogeographic breaks
o The application of fish population genomics in resolving phylogeographic patterns
o The ecological and evolutionary implications of range expansions and local adaptations in marine fish
o Conservation strategies informed by phylogeographic data to identify biodiversity and evolutionary hotspots

We encourage the submission of original research and review articles covering marine species globally, focusing on how oceanographic conditions like temperature, salinity, and currents influence phylogeographic structures and evolutionary outcomes.

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Frontiers in Fish Science

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