| Citation | Distinguished for his research on evolution and the genetics of natural populations, particularly hybrid ones, using both powerful mathematics and nice field studies. Nick Barton's theoretical work has led to the first general description of how selection, recombination and random drift act on large numbers of genes. His studies are a basis for understanding both the evolution of continuously varying traces and how new species form, yet remain distinct despite hybridization. His associated field work n hybrid zones in grasshoppers, butterflies and toads has shown what patterns of genotype frequencies tell us about the genetic basis of species differences and their effects on fitness. He is the leading British population geneticist of his generation. |