The genetic signature left by the range expansion of red foxes in Australia is detectable after more than 80 years of population stability.

Autor: Sarre SD; Centre for Conservation Ecology and Genomics, Institute for Applied Ecology University of Canberra Canberra Australian Capital Territory Australia., Adamack AT; Centre for Conservation Ecology and Genomics, Institute for Applied Ecology University of Canberra Canberra Australian Capital Territory Australia.; Science Branch, Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre Fisheries and Oceans Canada St. John's Newfoundland and Labrador Canada., Hitchen Y; School of Biological Sciences The University of Western Australia Crawley Western Australia Australia.; Helix Molecular Solutions Leederville Western Australia Australia., Soulsbury CD; School of Life & Environmental Sciences University of Lincoln Lincoln UK., Gruber B; School of Biological Sciences The University of Western Australia Crawley Western Australia Australia., Berry OF; School of Biological Sciences The University of Western Australia Crawley Western Australia Australia.; National Collections and Marine Infrastructure, CSIRO, Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre The University of Western Australia Crawley Western Australia Australia.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Ecology and evolution [Ecol Evol] 2024 Apr 04; Vol. 14 (4), pp. e11212. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Apr 04 (Print Publication: 2024).
DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11212
Abstrakt: Reconstructing biological invasions from historical sources can provide insights into how they occur but are difficult to do when invasions are poorly documented. Genetic signatures left by invaders can also offer insights into invasion routes, points of origin and general biology but often present conclusions that are contradictory to expectations. Here, we test the ability of continental-wide microsatellite genotype data from 29 loci and 3122 samples to reconstruct the well-documented invasion of red foxes Vulpes vulpes from the United Kingdom into Australia over 150 years ago, an invasion that has led to the extinction of many native species. Our analysis reveals several key signals of invasion evident in Australian foxes. They display lower levels of diversity than foxes sampled from the UK, exhibit clines in diversity from the point of introduction (south-east Australia) to the edge of their range, and show strong evidence of allele surfing in westerly and north-easterly directions. These characteristics are consistent with a single point of origin followed by rapid expansion in westerly and north-easterly directions as suggested by historical records. We also find little genetic structure in foxes across Australia with only the vast Nullarbor Plains and Great Victoria Desert region presenting a detectable barrier to their dispersal. As such, no mainland region within the current range of foxes can be considered genetically isolated and therefore appropriate for localised eradication efforts. Overall, our analyses demonstrate the ability of comprehensive population genetic studies to reconstruct invasion histories even after more than 80 years since colonisation was stabilised.
Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interests.
(© 2024 The Authors. Ecology and Evolution published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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