Understanding invasion history: genetic structure and diversity of two globally invasive plants and implications for their management |
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| Authors: | P J Prentis D P Sigg S Raghu K Dhileepan A Pavasovic A J Lowe |
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| Institution: | Australian Centre for Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia;, Ecosystems Branch, Ministry of Environment, British Columbia, PO Box 9338 Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, BC, Canada V8W 9M1;, Arid Zone Research Institute, Northern Territory Government, PO Box 8760, Alice Springs, NT 0871, Australia;, Department of Primary Industries &Fisheries, Alan Fletcher Research Station, Sherwood, Qld 4075, Australia;, State Herbarium and Bioknowledge South Australia, Department for Environment and Heritage, Hackney Road, Kent Town, SA 5005, Australia |
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| Abstract: | Aim Resolving the origin of invasive plant species is important for understanding the introduction histories of successful invaders and aiding strategies aimed at their management. This study aimed to infer the number and origin(s) of introduction for the globally invasive species, Macfadyena unguis‐cati and Jatropha gossypiifolia using molecular data. Location Native range: Neotropics; Invaded range: North America, Africa, Europe, Asia, Pacific Islands and Australia. Methods We used chloroplast microsatellites (cpSSRs) to elucidate the origin(s) of introduced populations and calculated the genetic diversity in native and introduced regions. Results Strong genetic structure was found within the native range of M. unguis‐cati, but no genetic structuring was evident in the native range of J. gossypiifolia. Overall, 27 haplotypes were found in the native range of M. unguis‐cati. Only four haplotypes were found in the introduced range, with more than 96% of introduced specimens matching a haplotype from Paraguay. In contrast, 15 haplotypes were found in the introduced range of J. gossypiifolia, with all invasive populations, except New Caledonia, comprising multiple haplotypes. Main conclusions These data show that two invasive plant species from the same native range have had vastly different introduction histories in their non‐native ranges. Invasive populations of M. unguis‐cati probably came from a single or few independent introductions, whereas most invasive J. gossypiifolia populations arose from multiple introductions or alternatively from a representative sample of genetic diversity from a panmictic native range. As introduced M. unguis‐cati populations are dominated by a single haplotype, locally adapted natural enemies should make the best control agents. However, invasive populations of J. gossypiifolia are genetically diverse and the selection of bio‐control agents will be considerably more complex. |
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| Keywords: | Biological control biological invasions genetic diversity introduction history Jatropha gossypiifolia Macfadyena unguis-cati |
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