Mol Ecol. 2015 Aug;24(16):4269-85. doi: 10.1111/mec.13307. Epub 2015 Aug 3.
Abstract
Invasive
species present a major threat to global biodiversity. Understanding
genetic patterns and evolutionary processes that reinforce successful
establishment is paramount for elucidating mechanisms underlying
biological invasions. Among birds,
the ring-necked parakeet (Psittacula krameri) is one of the most
successful invasive species, established in over 35 countries. However,
little is known about the evolutionary genetic origins of this species
and what population genetic signatures tell us about patterns of
invasion. We reveal the ancestral origins of populations across the
invasive range and explore the potential influence of climate and
propagule pressure from the pet
trade on observed genetic patterns. Ring-necked parakeet samples
representing the ancestral native range (n = 96) were collected from
museum specimens, and modern samples from the invasive range (n = 855)
were gathered from across Europe, Mauritius and Seychelles, and
sequenced for two mitochondrial DNA markers comprising 868 bp of
cytochrome b and control region, and genotyped at 10 microsatellite
loci. Invasive populations comprise birds
that originate predominantly from Pakistan and northern areas of India.
Haplotypes associated with more northerly distribution limits in the
ancestral native range were more prevalent in invasive populations in
Europe, and the predominance of Asian haplotypes in Europe is consistent
with the higher number of Asian birds transported by the pet
trade outside the native range. Successful establishment of invasive
species is likely to be underpinned by a combination of environmental
and anthropogenic influences.
© 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
© 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
