The day before yesterday: Genetic analysis as a guide to preserving evolutionary diversity and restoring population processes Don Melnick1 1Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology and Center for Environmental Research and Conservation (CERC), Columbia University Abstract Molecular data have proven useful in addressing a number of questions related to the biology of primate populations, the evolutionary relationships among various primate taxa, and the conservation of primate diversity.  Using a series of case studies, each of these uses will be illustrated.  In addition, connections will be drawn between understanding primate population and evolutionary biology, and implementing primate conservation strategies.