Abstract
Understanding the invasive potential of species outside their native range is one of the most pressing questions in applied evolutionary and ecological research. Admixture of genotypes of invasive species from multiple sources has been implicated in successful invasions, by generating novel genetic combinations that facilitate rapid adaptation to new environments. Alternatively, adaptive evolution on standing genetic variation, exposed by phenotypic plasticity and selected by genetic accommodation, can facilitate invasion success. We investigated the population genetic structure of an Asian freshwater mussel with a parasitic dispersal stage, Sinanodonta woodiana, which has been present in Europe since 1979 but which has expanded rapidly in the last decade. Data from a mitochondrial marker and nuclear microsatellites have suggested that all European populations of S. woodiana originate from the River Yangtze basin in China. Only a single haplotype was detected in Europe, in contrast to substantial mitochondrial diversity in native Asian populations. Analysis of microsatellite markers indicated intensive gene flow and confirmed a lower genetic diversity of European populations compared to those from the Yangtze basin, though that difference was not large. Using an Approximate Bayesian Modelling approach, we identified two areas as the probable source of the spread of S. woodiana in Europe, which matched historical records for its establishment. Their populations originated from a single colonization event. Our data do not support alternative explanations for the rapid recent spread of S. woodiana; recent arrival of a novel (cold‐tolerant) genotype or continuous propagule pressure. Instead, in situ adaptation, facilitated by repeated admixture, appears to drive the ongoing expansion of S. woodiana. We discuss management consequences of our results.
Highlights
Invasions of non-native species, defined as a rapid geographical spread and increase in local population size outside the species original range, often threaten native species, communities, and ecosystems (Lockwood, Hoopes, & Marchetti, 2013)
Adaptive evolution on genetic variation in non-native populations may result in strong selection on traits related to invasiveness, perhaps via genetic accommodation of phenotypic plasticity through its exposure in a novel environment (Bock, Kantar, Caseys, Matthey-Doret, & Rieseberg, 2018)
The main aims of the study were as follows: (a) to describe the genetic diversity and structure of invasive S. woodiana populations in Europe; (b) to identify the putative original European populations that served as sources for the subsequent invasion across the continent; (c) to model complex associations across the non-native European range, including the level of admixture and its spatial structure, using Approximate Bayesian Computation; (d) to locate the potential sources of S. woodiana from its native range that were introduced to Europe, and (e) to consider the management implications of the results
Summary
Invasions of non-native species, defined as a rapid geographical spread and increase in local population size outside the species original range, often threaten native species, communities, and ecosystems (Lockwood, Hoopes, & Marchetti, 2013). Asian carps were imported to Hungary from the River Amur basin in 1963–1965 In both cases, imported fish were putatively infected with S. woodiana glochidia that established adult mussel populations in hatcheries (reviewed in Watters, 1997). The main aims of the study were as follows: (a) to describe the genetic diversity and structure of invasive S. woodiana populations in Europe; (b) to identify the putative original European populations that served as sources for the subsequent invasion across the continent; (c) to model complex associations across the non-native European range, including the level of admixture and its spatial structure, using Approximate Bayesian Computation; (d) to locate the potential sources of S. woodiana from its native range that were introduced to Europe, and (e) to consider the management implications of the results
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