Population genomics analyses reveal the role of hybridization in the rapid invasion of fall armyworm.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Invasive species pose a major threat to global biodiversity and agricultural productivity, yet the genomic mechanisms driving their rapid expansion into new habitats are not fully understood. The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, originally from the Americas, has expanded its reach across the Old World, causing substantial reduction in crop yield. Although the hybridization between two genetically distinct strains has been well-documented, the role of such hybridization in enhancing the species' invasive capabilities remains largely unexplored.

Objectives

This study aims to investigate the contributions of hybridization and natural selection to the rapid invasion of the fall armyworm.

Methods

We analyzed the whole-genome resequencing data from 432 ind

SUBMITTER: Wang X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12302344 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature