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Realized niche shift associated with the Eurasian charophyte Nitellopsis obtusa becoming invasive in North America.

ABSTRACT: Nitellopsis obtusa (starry stonewort) is a dioecious green alga native to Europe and Asia that has emerged as an aquatic invasive species in North America. Nitellopsis obtusa is rare across large portions of its native range, but has spread rapidly in northern-tier lakes in the United States, where it can interfere with recreation and may displace native species. Little is known about the invasion ecology of N. obtusa, making it difficult to forecast future expansion. Using ecological niche modeling we investigated environmental variables associated with invasion risk. We used species records, climate data, and remotely sensed environmental variables to characterize the species' multidimensional distribution. We found that N. obtusa is exploiting novel ecological niche space in its introduced range, which may help explain its invasiveness. While the fundamental niche of N. obtusa may be stable, there appears to have been a shift in its realized niche associated with invasion in North America. Large portions of the United States are predicted to constitute highly suitable habitat for N. obtusa. Our results can inform early detection and rapid response efforts targeting N. obtusa and provide testable estimates of the physiological tolerances of this species as a baseline for future empirical research.

SUBMITTER: Escobar LE

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4929560 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Realized niche shift associated with the Eurasian charophyte Nitellopsis obtusa becoming invasive in North America.

Escobar Luis E LE Qiao Huijie H Phelps Nicholas B D NB Wagner Carli K CK Larkin Daniel J DJ

Scientific reports 20160701

Nitellopsis obtusa (starry stonewort) is a dioecious green alga native to Europe and Asia that has emerged as an aquatic invasive species in North America. Nitellopsis obtusa is rare across large portions of its native range, but has spread rapidly in northern-tier lakes in the United States, where it can interfere with recreation and may displace native species. Little is known about the invasion ecology of N. obtusa, making it difficult to forecast future expansion. Using ecological niche mode ...[more]

PMID: 27363541

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Project description:Aim:Lumbricid earthworms are invasive across northern North America, causing notable changes in forest ecosystems. During their range expansion they encountered harsher climatic conditions compared to their native ranges in evolutionary short time. This study investigated if (1) dispersal barriers, (2) climatic selection, or (3) anthropogenic activities, such as fishing bait disposal, structure the dispersal of free-living earthworm populations. Location:North America, forest habitats along former Wisconsinan glaciation line. Taxon:Lumbricus terrestris, L. rubellus. Methods:Lumbricus terrestris and L. rubellus co-occur in the same habitats but differ in ecology and use Conservation approach for goblin species were sampled in five transects ranging from the east to the west coast of northern North America, including major dispersal barriers, three different climate zones, and bait shops near sampling locations. Genetic diversity and structure were compared between the two species, and the presence of free-living bait shop genotypes was assessed using four markers (COI, 16S rDNA, 12S rDNA, H3). Results:Populations of both species were genetically diverse with some geographic structure, which was more pronounced in L. terrestris than in L. rubellus. Common haplotypes were present in all regions, but locally restricted haplotypes also occurred. Further, two distinct genetic clades of L. terrestris co-occurred only in the two most distant transects (Alberta and Minnesota). Genotypes identical to bait individuals were omnipresent in field populations of L. terrestris. Main conclusions:Genetic diversity was high in both species, and invasive populations represented a genetic subset of European earthworms. Geographic and climatic dispersal barriers affected the less mobile species, L. rubellus, resulting in differences in genetic structure between the two species. Our results indicate common long-distance dispersal vectors and specific vectors affecting only L. terrestris. The roles of climate and anthropogenic activities are discussed, providing additional explanations of dispersal and new insights into establishment of invasive earthworms.

Dataset Information

Realized niche shift associated with the Eurasian charophyte Nitellopsis obtusa becoming invasive in North America.

Publications

Realized niche shift associated with the Eurasian charophyte Nitellopsis obtusa becoming invasive in North America.

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