Abstract
Endemic species on islands are highly susceptible to local extinction, in particular if they are exposed to invasive species. Invasive predators, such as feral cats, have been introduced to islands around the world, causing major losses in local biodiversity. In order to control and manage invasive species successfully, information about source populations and level of gene flow is essential. Here, we investigate the origin of feral cats of Hawaiian and Australian islands to verify their European ancestry and a potential pattern of isolation by distance. We analyzed the genetic structure and diversity of feral cats from eleven islands as well as samples from Malaysia and Europe using mitochondrial DNA (ND5 and ND6 regions) and microsatellite DNA data. Our results suggest an overall European origin of Hawaiian cats with no pattern of isolation by distance between Australian, Malaysian, and Hawaiian populations. Instead, we found low levels of genetic differentiation between samples from Tasman Island, Lana'i, Kaho'olawe, Cocos (Keeling) Island, and Asia. As these populations are separated by up to 10,000 kilometers, we assume an extensive passive dispersal event along global maritime trade routes in the beginning of the 19th century, connecting Australian, Asian, and Hawaiian islands. Thus, islands populations, which are characterized by low levels of current gene flow, represent valuable sources of information on historical, human‐mediated global dispersal patterns of feral cats.
Highlights
Biodiversity loss through population declines, local and global extinctions of many island endemic species, is largely caused by mammalian invasive species (Atkinson 1985; Fritts and Rodda 1998; Courchamp et al 2003; Bonnaud et al 2011; Frank et al 2014)
Ecology and Evolution published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd
We addressed the following specific questions regarding the origin, distribution, and variability of feral cat genotypes on these islands: (1) Is the route of introduction represented by historical global trading activities and did they impact the global population structure of feral cats? and (2) Do Hawaiian feral cats originate, as found for Australian mainland and island feral cats, from Europe?
Summary
Biodiversity loss through population declines, local and global extinctions of many island endemic species, is largely caused by mammalian invasive species (Atkinson 1985; Fritts and Rodda 1998; Courchamp et al 2003; Bonnaud et al 2011; Frank et al 2014). The incorporation of population genetic and phylogeography approaches into various eradication and management campaigns has been found to enhance their success and can assist in recognizing possible positive outcomes of containment efforts (Abdelkrim et al 2007; Allendorf and Lundquist 2003; Rollins et al 2006; Schwartz et al 2007; Veale et al 2013; Waples & Gaggiotti 2006) This information allows a management design adjusted to population structure and their connectivity to other populations (Estoup & Guillemaud 2010; Rollins et al 2006; Veale et al 2013). We addressed the following specific questions regarding the origin, distribution, and variability of feral cat genotypes on these islands: (1) Is the route of introduction represented by historical global trading activities and did they impact the global population structure of feral cats? and (2) Do Hawaiian feral cats originate, as found for Australian mainland and island feral cats, from Europe?
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