Genetic diversity is positively associated with fine-scale momentary abundance of an invasive ant.

ABSTRACT: Many introduced species become invasive despite genetic bottlenecks that should, in theory, decrease the chances of invasion success. By contrast, population genetic bottlenecks have been hypothesized to increase the invasion success of unicolonial ants by increasing the genetic similarity between descendent populations, thus promoting co-operation. We investigated these alternate hypotheses in the unicolonial yellow crazy ant, Anoplolepis gracilipes, which has invaded Arnhem Land in Australia's Northern Territory. We used momentary abundance as a surrogate measure of invasion success, and investigated the relationship between A. gracilipes genetic diversity and its abundance, and the effect of its abundance on species diversity and community structure. We also investigated whether selecte

SUBMITTER: Gruber MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3488662 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature