Phylogeography is an important tool when studying how genetic variation is distributed in space within and among species. In a conservation genetic context, phylogeographic information can be used to identify Evolutionary Significant Units and Management Units. Such are important when identifying unique evolutionary lineages among species and when preserving local adaptations.

In this talk I will present my research on the phylogeography of two closely related cold adapted grouse species: the willow grouse (Lagopus lagopus) and the rock ptarmigan (L. muta). I will show that local rock ptarmigan populations are highly differentiated and while such structure also can be revealed among willow grouse populations the phylogeographic signal is often less clear. This is what is expected from microhabitat use and the extent of habitat distribution of each species. Nevertheless, local adaptation to climate can be seen in peripheral some populations on the British isles where whole genome data suggest differentiation among a number of candidate genes but also regions of the genome with low variation.