Table 1.

Overview of the features of the main spatially explicit simulation models based on quantitative genetics available. Migration. IMM: island migration model, SSM: stepping stone migration model. UDM: user-defined dispersal model from migration matrix, dispersal rates or adaptations of IMM/SSM. QTD: quantitative trait determining dispersal. SMR: sex-specific migration rates. AMR: age-specific migration rates. BI: influence of landscape boundaries on dispersal. Mutation. RMM: random mutation model, the mutational effect of the new allele is drawn randomly from a given distribution and added to the existing allelic value. IMU: increment mutation model, the mutational effect depends on the original state of the mutant allele. DAM: di-allelic mutation model, mutation effects can only increase or decrease a given value, resulting in symmetric effects. KAM: K-allele mutation model, which assumes that there are no more than k alleles at a given locus. Each mutation replaces the existing allele with another allele from a predefined set of alleles, ranging from 0 to k. SSM: given a predefined index of alleles, the single step mutation model replaces a mutating allele k with one of the “adjacent” alleles, k+1 or k-1, at random. LM: lethal mutations. SMM: stepwise mutator model for microsatellite markers. IAM: infinite allele model. UDP: user-defined probability model: each allele has a user-defined probability or mutating to yield another given allele. Multi-traits: n corresponds to a positive integer. Mating system. Assortative: assortative mating. Random: random mating. Sex-specific: possibility of defining the number of matings per individual on the basis of sex.

	Genetic map	xy coordinates	Migration	Selection	Mutation	Multi-traits	Mating system	Trait plasticity	Life cycle events
Metapop	Yes	Population on lattice	IMM SSM UDM	Stabilizing Divergent	KAM	n	Random    Assortative    Selfing	Heritable Non heritable	Fixed order
Nemo	Yes	Population on lattice	IMM SSM UDM QTD SMR	Stabilizing Divergent Fixed model	RMM DAM deleterious	n	Random    Selfing    Cloning    Sex-specific	No	Flexible
Quantinemo	Yes	Population on lattice	IMM SSM UDM SMR BI	Stabilizing Divergent Directional Combination of models	KAM SSM RMM IMU UDP	n	Random    Selfing    Cloning    Sex-specific	No	Fixed order but individual cycles can be left out
Aladyn	No	Individual in continuous landscape	lognormal dispersal kernel BI	Stabilizing Divergent	RMM	2	Random	No	Fixed order
Forsim	Yes	Population on lattice	UDM	Stabilizing Divergent Directional Truncation User-defined	RMM IMU lethal	n	Random    Assortative	Heritable at family level only	Fixed order
Pedagog	No	Population on lattice	UDM SMR AMR	Stabilizing Divergent Directional	IAM SMM	n	Sexual    selection    Sex-specific	No	Fixed order