Demes

Demes are local groups or populations of a species that live in a specific area and interbreed regularly. Think of them as neighborhoods of a species, where individuals mainly mate within their group. These groups are important in studying evolution and genetics because they help scientists understand how populations stay connected or become separate over time. Demes can be small or large and are key to understanding how species adapt and evolve in different environments. Overall, they are basic units of population structure that influence the genetic diversity and evolutionary future of species.