Genetics on Invasive Species

Abstract

Genetic markers are especially appropriate to reveal historical processes, as for example regarding biological invasions. Phylogenetic and population genetic methods enable to identify the taxa involved in an invasion (native and non-native species) and often lead to the perception of multiple or cryptic invasions. Phylogeographic and multi-locus approaches have been developed to assign individual invaders to potential source populations. The results may have implications for management measures. However, little is known about the genetic architecture of newly colonised populations. We introduce here genetic models for colonisations in linear habitats like rivers or coastlines. The expectations about the neutral genetic population structure in relation to different invasion modes are compared to European field data of Dikerogammarus villosus (Amphipoda) and Dreissena polymorpha (Bivalvia). Finally, a potential correlation between genetic diversity and invasion success is discussed.