Multiple introductions, polyploidy and mixed reproductive strategies are linked to genetic diversity and structure in the most widespread invasive plant across Southern Ocean archipelagos

0574297 - BÚ 2024 RIV US eng J - Journal Article
Mairal, M. - García-Verdugo, C. - Le Roux, J. J. - Chau, J. H. - van Vuuren, B. J. - Hui, C. - Münzbergová, Zuzana - Chown, S. L. - Shaw, J. D.
Multiple introductions, polyploidy and mixed reproductive strategies are linked to genetic diversity and structure in the most widespread invasive plant across Southern Ocean archipelagos.
Molecular Ecology. Roč. 32, č. 4 (2023), s. 756-771. ISSN 0962-1083. E-ISSN 1365-294X
Institutional support: RVO:67985939
Keywords : biological invasions * breeding systems * clonality
OECD category: Plant sciences, botany
Impact factor: 4.9, year: 2022
Method of publishing: Open access
https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.16809

We identified high levels of genetic diversity, low clonality and low selfing rates in sub-Antarctic P. annua populations (contrary to rates typical of continental populations). In turn, estimates of selfing declined in populations as genetic diversity increased. Additionally, we found that most P. annua individuals are probably tetraploid and that only slight variation exists in genome size across the Southern Ocean. Our findings suggest multiple independent introductions of P. annua into the sub-Antarctic, which promoted the establishment of genetically diverse populations. Despite multiple introductions, the adoption of convergent reproductive strategies (outcrossing) happened independently in each major archipelago. The combination of polyploidy and a mixed reproductive strategy probably benefited P. annua in the Southern Ocean by increasing genetic diversity and its ability to cope with the novel environmental conditions.
Permanent Link: https://hdl.handle.net/11104/0344646