Highly diverse and highly successful: invasive Australian acacias have not experienced genetic bottlenecks globally.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Invasive species may undergo rapid evolution despite very limited standing genetic diversity. This so-called genetic paradox of biological invasions assumes that an invasive species has experienced (and survived) a genetic bottleneck and then underwent local adaptation in the new range. In this study, we test how often Australian acacias (genus Acacia), one of the world's most problematic invasive tree groups, have experienced genetic bottlenecks and inbreeding.

Methods

We collated genetic data from 51 different genetic studies on Acacia species to compare genetic diversity between native and invasive populations. These studies analysed 37 different Acacia species, with genetic data from the invasive ranges of 11 species, and data from the native range fo

SUBMITTER: Vicente S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8324033 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature