Abstract
Invasive species’ Pleistocene history contains much information on its present population structure, dispersability and adaptability. In this study, the Pleistocene history of a global invasive pest (Brown Marmorated Stink Bug BMSB, Halyomorpha halys) was unveiled using the coupled approach of phylogeography and ecological niche modelling. Rangewide molecular data suggests that the Taiwan and other native populations had diverged in mid-Pleistocene. In mainland China, the native BMSB did not experience population contraction and divergence during last glacial, but persisted in interconnected populations. Combined Bayesian Skyline Plot (BSP) and niche modelling revealed a rapid expansion occurred during the transition of Last Inter Glacial (LIG) to Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). High genetic diversity and multi-reticular haplotypes network exist in the original sources populations of BMSB invasion in northern China. They were speculated to be colonized from the central China, with many derived haplotypes evolved to adapt the novel environment. The ENM future prediction suggest that BMSB may expand northward to higher latitudes in the US and Europe, because of its high invasive ability, together with the available suitable climate space there.
Highlights
Invasive species’ Pleistocene history contains much information on its present population structure, dispersability and adaptability[1]
Comparing to other specialist or endemic species, invasive pests may not be seriously affected by Pleistocene climate because of their wide ecological flexibility or high dispersal ability[1]
The northern China populations have been proved to be the original sources of Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) invasion in the US16, and likely to be the source of European invasion in Switzerland[17]
Summary
Invasive species’ Pleistocene history contains much information on its present population structure, dispersability and adaptability[1]. Comparing to other specialist or endemic species, invasive pests may not be seriously affected by Pleistocene climate because of their wide ecological flexibility or high dispersal ability[1]. Revealing their response to Pleistocene climate provides useful information on their responding to the ongoing global climate change[1,7]. Ecological niche modelling (ENM) emerged as an important tool in the studies of biological invasion and phylogeography[8]. The characterized niche can be projected to identify areas of historical distribution[11] This approach to generate historical distribution is spatially explicit and independent from hypotheses built upon phylogeography[12]. The northern China populations have been proved to be the original sources of BMSB invasion in the US16, and likely to be the source of European invasion in Switzerland[17]
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