Postintroduction evolution contributes to the successful invasion of Chromolaena odorata.

ABSTRACT: The evolution of increased competitive ability (EICA) hypothesis states that, when introduced in a novel habitat, invasive species may reallocate resources from costly quantitative defense mechanisms against enemies to dispersal and reproduction; meanwhile, the refinement of EICA suggests that concentrations of toxins used for qualitative defense against generalist herbivores may increase. Previous studies considered that only few genotypes were introduced to the new range, whereas most studies to test the EICA (or the refinement of EICA) hypotheses did not consider founder effects.In this study, genetic and phenotypic data of Chromolaena odorata populations sampled across native and introduced ranges were combined to investigate the role of postintroduction evolution in the success

SUBMITTER: Li W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7029091 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature