Low genetic diversity despite multipleintroductions of the invasive plant species Impatiens glandulifera in Europe

• Background: Invasive species can be a major threat to native biodiversity and the number of invasive plant speciesis increasing across the globe. Population genetic studies of invasive species can provide key insights into theirinvasion history and ensuing evolution, but also for their control. Here we genetically characterise populations ofImpatiens glandulifera, an invasive plant in Europe that can have a major impact on native plant communities. Wecompared populations from the species’ native range in Kashmir, India, to those in its invaded range, along alatitudinal gradient in Europe. For comparison, the results from 39 other studies of genetic diversity in invasivespecies were collated.Results: Our results suggest that I. glandulifera was established in the wild in Europe at least twice, from an areaoutside of our Kashmir study area. Our results further revealed that the genetic diversity in invasive populations ofI. glandulifera is unusually low compared to native populations, in particular when compared to other invasivespecies. Genetic drift rather than mutation seems to have played a role in differentiating populations in Europe. Wefind evidence of limitations to local gene flow after introduction to Europe, but somewhat less restrictions in thenative range. I. glandulifera populations with significant inbreeding were only found in the species’ native rangeand invasive species in general showed no increase in inbreeding upon leaving their native ranges. In Europe wedetect cases of migration between distantly located populations. Human activities therefore seem to, at leastpartially, have facilitated not only introductions, but also further spread of I. glandulifera across Europe.Conclusions: Although multiple introductions will facilitate the retention of genetic diversity in invasive ranges,widespread invasive species can remain genetically relatively invariant also after multiple introductions. Phenotypicplasticity may therefore be an important component of the successful spread of Impatiens glandulifera across Europe.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Biologi -- Genetik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Biological Sciences -- Genetics (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Biologi -- Ekologi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Biological Sciences -- Ecology (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Geovetenskap och miljövetenskap -- Miljövetenskap (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Earth and Related Environmental Sciences -- Environmental Sciences (hsv//eng)

LANTBRUKSVETENSKAPER  -- Lantbruksvetenskap, skogsbruk och fiske -- Skogsvetenskap (hsv//swe)

AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES  -- Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries -- Forest Science (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Biologi -- Evolutionsbiologi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Biological Sciences -- Evolutionary Biology (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Biologi -- Botanik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Biological Sciences -- Botany (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Biologi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Biological Sciences (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

SSRs

Colonisation events

Exotic species

Molecular diversity

Weeds

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