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Long-distance dispersal suppresses introgression of local alleles during range expansions.

ABSTRACT: During range expansions, even low levels of interbreeding can lead to massive introgression of local alleles into an invader's genome. Nonetheless, this pattern is not always observed in human populations. For instance, European Americans in North America are barely introgressed by Amerindian genes in spite of known contact and admixture. With coalescent spatially explicit simulations, we examined the impact of long-distance dispersal (LDD) events on introgression of local alleles into the invading population using a set of different demographic scenarios applicable to a diverse range of natural populations and species. More specifically, we consider two distinct LDD models: one where LDD events originate in the range core and targets only the expansion front and a second one where LDD events can occur from any area to any other. We find that LDD generally prevents introgression, but that LDD events specifically targeting the expansion front are most efficient in suppressing introgression. This is likely due to the fact that LDD allows for the presence of a larger number of invader alleles at the wave front, where effective population size is thus increased and local introgressed alleles are rapidly outnumbered. We postulate that the documented settlement of pioneers directly on the wave front in North America has contributed to low levels of Amerindian admixture observed in European Americans and that this phenomenon may well explain the lack of introgression after a range expansion in natural populations without the need to evoke other mechanisms such as natural selection.

SUBMITTER: Amorim CE

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5234476 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Long-distance dispersal suppresses introgression of local alleles during range expansions.

Amorim C E G CE Hofer T T Ray N N Foll M M Ruiz-Linares A A Excoffier L L

Heredity 20160831 2

During range expansions, even low levels of interbreeding can lead to massive introgression of local alleles into an invader's genome. Nonetheless, this pattern is not always observed in human populations. For instance, European Americans in North America are barely introgressed by Amerindian genes in spite of known contact and admixture. With coalescent spatially explicit simulations, we examined the impact of long-distance dispersal (LDD) events on introgression of local alleles into the invad ...[more]

PMID: 27577693

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Project description:Introduction:Alliaria petiolata, an herbaceous plant, has invaded woodlands in North America. Its ecology has been thoroughly studied, but an overlooked aspect of its biology is seed dispersal distances and mechanisms. We measured seed dispersal distances in the field and tested if epizoochory is a potential mechanism for long-distance seed dispersal. Methods:Dispersal distances were measured by placing seed traps in a sector design around three seed point sources, which consisted of 15 second-year plants transplanted within a 0.25 m radius circle. Traps were placed at intervals ranging from 0.25-3.25 m from the point source. Traps remained in the field until a majority of seeds were dispersed. Eight probability density functions were fitted to seed trap counts via maximum likelihood. Epizoochory was tested as a potential seed dispersal mechanism for A. petiolata through a combination of field and laboratory experiments. To test if small mammals transport A. petiolata seeds in their fur, experimental blocks were placed around dense A. petiolata patches. Each block contained a mammal inclusion treatment (MIT) and control. The MIT consisted of a wood-frame (31 × 61× 31 cm) covered in wire mesh, except for the two 31 × 31 cm ends, placed over a germination tray filled with potting soil. A pan filled with bait was placed in the center of the tray. The control frame (11 × 31 × 61 cm) was placed over a germination tray and completely covered in wire mesh to exclude animal activity. Treatments were in the field for peak seed dispersal. In March, trays were moved to a greenhouse and A. petiolata seedlings were counted and then compared between treatments. To determine if A. petiolata seeds attach to raccoon (Procyon lotor) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) fur, wet and dry seeds were dropped onto wet and dry fur. Furs were rotated 180 degrees and the seeds that remained attached were counted. To measure seed retention, seeds were dropped on furs and rotated as before, then the furs were agitated for one hour. The seeds retained in the fur were counted. Results:For the seed dispersal experiment, the 2Dt function provided the best fit and was the most biologically meaningful. It predicted that seed density rapidly declined with distance from the point source. Mean dispersal distance was 0.52 m and 95% of seeds dispersed within 1.14 m. The epizoochory field experiment showed increased mammal activity and A. petiolata seedlings in germination trays of the MIT compared to control. Laboratory studies showed 3-26% of seeds were attached and retained by raccoon and deer fur. Retention significantly increased if either seed or fur were wet (57-98%). Discussion:Without animal seed vectors, most seeds fall within a short distance of the seed source; however, long distance dispersal may be accomplished by epizoochory. Our data are consistent with A. petiolata's widespread distribution and development of dense clusters of the species in invaded areas.

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Long-distance dispersal suppresses introgression of local alleles during range expansions.

Publications

Long-distance dispersal suppresses introgression of local alleles during range expansions.

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