RANDOM AMPLIFIED POLYMORPHIC DNAS AND MICROSATELLITES - WHAT ARE THEY, AND CAN THEY TELL US ANYTHING WE DONT ALREADY KNOW

New methods have become available for the direct analysis of genetic variation at the DNA level. Two of the most popular and useful of these new methods are randoma mplified polymorphic DNAs and microsatellites. Despite some concern and confusion about the application of these new methods, they can provide exciting new insights into portions of the genome that have been underutilized in genetic analysis. These portions are primarily those that contain repetitive DNA sequences. Repetitive DNA sequences constitute substantial portions of most eukaryotic genomes, and they represent an enormous, largely untapped reservoir of genetic variation. Access to this reservoir is vitally important for studies of insect genomes and populations.