Invasive Species

Abstract

AbstractInvasive species have significant effects on biodiversity. Genetics provides insights important for eradication and control crucial for conservation. Invasive species can be successful despite bottlenecks because of increased genetic diversity following hybridization or multiple introductions, rapid evolutionary change, lack of natural enemies, or absence of constraints from local adaptation. Genetic and genomic analysis can identify cryptic invasive species, sources of introductions, pathways of spread, and patterns of adaptation and invasion. Bottlenecked species will have less diversity in the invasive range than in the native range, and species with multiple introductions will have greater diversity than in the native range. Genetic analysis can identify the mode of reproduction, including clonality, selfing, or parthenogenesis/apomixis. Invasive species detection is a crucial first step in determining prevalence of disease vectors. Metagenomics and metabarcoding can detect parasites and pathogens, and track the origin and transmission of parasites and infectious diseases.