Genomic Evidence for Dual Introductions, Limited Gene Flow and Niche Preferences in the Invasive Wasp Vespula germanica in South Africa.

ABSTRACT: Biological invasions are major drivers of recent biodiversity changes, yet the genetic structure and ecological mechanisms underlying invasion dynamics remain poorly resolved in invasive social insects. In South Africa, the European wasp Vespula germanica (Hymenoptera: Vespidae), introduced in the 1970s, has spread remarkably more slowly than in other regions and its geographical distribution in the country remains limited. Although two mitochondrial haplotypes have been reported in South Africa, the species' range expansion and fine-scale population structure remain poorly understood. Using 2b-RAD sequencing of 47 colonies across its entire range in South Africa, we identified two main genetic clusters that correspond to previously identified mitochondrial haplotypes, strongly supporting

SUBMITTER: Gergonne D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12745851 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature