Multiple introductions boosted genetic diversity in the invasive range of black cherry (Prunus serotina; Rosaceae) |
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Authors: | Marie Pairon Blaise Petitpierre Michael Campbell Antoine Guisan Olivier Broennimann Philippe V. Baret Anne-Laure Jacquemart Guillaume Besnard |
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Affiliation: | 1Earth and Life Institute, Research group ‘genetics, reproduction, populations’, Université catholique de Louvain, Croix du Sud, 2 box 14, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium;2Department of Ecology and Evolution, Biophore, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland;3Penn State Erie, The Behredn College, School of Science, 4205 College Drive, Erie, PA 16563, USA |
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Abstract: | Background and AimsBlack cherry (Prunus serotina) is a North American tree that is rapidly invading European forests. This species was introduced first as an ornamental plant then it was massively planted by foresters in many countries but its origins and the process of invasion remain poorly documented. Based on a genetic survey of both native and invasive ranges, the invasion history of black cherry was investigated by identifying putative source populations and then assessing the importance of multiple introductions on the maintenance of gene diversity.MethodsGenetic variability and structure of 23 populations from the invasive range and 22 populations from the native range were analysed using eight nuclear microsatellite loci and five chloroplast DNA regions.Key ResultsChloroplast DNA diversity suggests there were multiple introductions from a single geographic region (the north-eastern United States). A low reduction of genetic diversity was observed in the invasive range for both nuclear and plastid genomes. High propagule pressure including both the size and number of introductions shaped the genetic structure in Europe and boosted genetic diversity. Populations from Denmark, The Netherlands, Belgium and Germany showed high genetic diversity and low differentiation among populations, supporting the hypothesis that numerous introduction events, including multiple individuals and exchanges between sites, have taken place during two centuries of plantation.ConclusionsThis study postulates that the invasive black cherry has originated from east of the Appalachian Mountains (mainly the Allegheny plateau) and its invasiveness in north-western Europe is mainly due to multiple introductions containing high numbers of individuals. |
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Keywords: | Microsatellites putative sources invasive tree species phylogeography population genetics black cherry Prunus serotina var. serotina |
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