Abstract

Reproductive strategy affects population dynamics and genetic parameters that can, in turn, affect evolutionary processes during the course of biological invasion. Life-history traits associated with reproductive strategy are therefore potentially good candidates for rapid evolutionary shifts during invasions. In a series of mating trials, we examined mixed groups of four males from invasive and native populations of the harlequin ladybird Harmonia axyridis mating freely during 48 hours with one female of either type. We recorded the identity of the first male to copulate and after the 48 h-period, we examined female fecundity and share of paternity, using molecular markers. We found that invasive populations have a different profile of male and female reproductive output. Males from invasive populations are more likely to mate first and gain a higher proportion of offspring with both invasive and native females. Females from invasive populations reproduce sooner, lay more eggs, and have offspring sired by a larger number of fathers than females from native populations. We found no evidence of direct inbreeding avoidance behaviour in both invasive and native females. This study highlights the importance of investigating evolutionary changes in reproductive strategy and associated traits during biological invasions.

Highlights

  • Evolutionary processes and genetic attributes of invasive populations may underpin their success in becoming established in a new range [1,2,3]

  • Life-history traits associated with reproductive strategy are potentially good candidates for rapid evolutionary shifts during invasions [4], because reproductive strategy affects population dynamics and genetic parameters that can, in turn, have feedback effects on evolutionary processes [5,6,7]

  • We investigated the effects of invasion on reproductive traits in a species with multiple mating as a major reproductive strategy: the invasive harlequin ladybird Harmonia axyridis Pallas

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Summary

Introduction

Evolutionary processes and genetic attributes of invasive populations may underpin their success in becoming established in a new range [1,2,3]. Rapid evolution towards higher levels of reproduction following invasions may result from a relaxation of selection for defence against enemies in the invaded range [10,11]. In accordance with these expectations, a number of studies have shown that invasive populations can display increased reproductive efforts, have higher levels of reproductive investment, shorter generation times or higher selfing rates than native populations [6,10,12,13,14,15,16,17]. High selfing rates may slow admixture and accelerate purging, whereas multiple mating and allogamy would be expected to have the opposite effect

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