This document summarizes a thesis on tracking evolutionary paths during colonization events in Drosophila subobscura populations. The author studied: 1) founder effects on genetic differentiation between populations, finding early genetic drift impacts adaptation, 2) associations between genetic variability and adaptive responses, showing variability predicts evolutionary potential, and 3) the role of chromosomal inversions in adaptation, providing evidence for local adaptation within inversions. The research improves understanding of how selection and drift interact during colonization to impact genetic composition and adaptive trajectories.