Combined Evidence Reveals the Origin of a Rapid Range Expansion Despite Retained Genetic Diversity and a Weak Founder Effect.

ABSTRACT: Many species are currently experiencing range shifts in response to changing environmental conditions with potentially serious genetic consequences. Repeated founder events and strong genetic drift are expected to erode genetic variation at the range front, reducing adaptive potential and slowing or even halting the expansion. However, the severity of these consequences for common and highly mobile species undergoing environment-driven range shifts (c.f. invasions) is less clear. Here, we combined historical observations and contemporary movement data of the common reed warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus) with genomic evidence from across its European breeding range to (1) infer the origin and (2) quantify the genetic consequences of a recent and rapid northward range expansion. Although the

SUBMITTER: Bergman NM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12456119 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature