| Abstrakt: |
Hybridization between invasive species can intensify the impacts on the invaded ecosystem, as well as facilitate further introductions. Our study tested, through genotyping nuclear microsatellite loci and sequencing of the mitochondrial Control Region (CR) locus, the hypothesis of hybridization between two highly invasive cichlids in a Neotropical reservoir. We also further discuss the potential use of colour pattern to identify ongoing hybridization processes between the peacock basses Cichla ocellaris var. kelberi and Cichla piquiti in systems where they were introduced. Genetic analyses confirmed introgressive hybridization, corroborated by the identification of multiple hybrid classes (F1, F2 and backcrosses). However, the hybridization was asymmetrical since most hybrids carry the C. piquiti CR haplotype (15 out of 18 hybrids), indicating that the crossing between female C. piquiti with male C. ocellaris var. kelberi is more common in this reservoir. Although the mitochondrial marker displayed low genetic diversity, high genetic diversity was found for the nuclear microsatellite loci, especially when analysing hybrids separately, indicating a possible increase in local adaptability that can enhance establishment success in novel areas. Most hybrids had intermediate colour patterns between C. ocellaris var. kelberi and C. piquiti which stresses the usefulness of these traits as visual tools for the identification of ongoing hybridization between these two highly invasive species elsewhere, contributing to the monitoring and management of their populations, given that genetic analyses are often inaccessible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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