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Genetic variation increases during biological invasion by a Cuban lizard

Nature volume 431, pages 177–181 (2004)Cite this article

Abstract

A genetic paradox1,2 exists in invasion biology: how do introduced populations, whose genetic variation has probably been depleted by population bottlenecks, persist and adapt to new conditions? Lessons from conservation genetics show that reduced genetic variation due to genetic drift and founder effects limits the ability of a population to adapt, and small population size increases the risk of extinction1,3,4. Nonetheless, many introduced species experiencing these same conditions during initial introductions persist, expand their ranges, evolve rapidly and become invasive. To address this issue, we studied the brown anole, a worldwide invasive lizard. Genetic analyses indicate that at least eight introductions have occurred in Florida from across this lizard's native range, blending genetic variation from different geographic source populations and producing populations that contain substantially more, not less, genetic variation than native populations. Moreover, recently introduced brown anole populations around the world originate from Florida, and some have maintained these elevated levels of genetic variation. Here we show that one key to invasion success may be the occurrence of multiple introductions that transform among-population variation in native ranges to within-population variation in introduced areas. Furthermore, these genetically variable populations may be particularly potent sources for introductions elsewhere. The growing problem of invasive species introductions brings considerable economic and biological costs5,6. If these costs are to be mitigated, a greater understanding of the causes, progression and consequences of biological invasions is needed7.

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Figure 1: Phylogenetic tree of A. sagrei. The tree is from a bayesian analysis of all unique mtDNA haplotypes sampled from the introduced and native ranges of A. sagrei (Supplementary Table S2).
Figure 2: Source of genetic variation in introduced A. sagrei populations.
Figure 3: Genetic variation increases during the biological invasion.

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Acknowledgements

We thank T. Campbell, D. Cardace, P. Colbert, K. de Queiroz, A. Echternacht, J. Gaskin, L. Harmon, J. Knouft, K. Kozak, R. Muller, G. Norval, S. Poe, R. Powell, V. Rivalta Gonzalez, A. Torres Barboza and A. Wright for advice and assistance, and the National Science Foundation and the Environmental Protection Agency Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program for funding.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Washington University, Campus Box 1137, Saint Louis, Missouri, 63130-4899, USA

    Jason J. Kolbe, Richard E. Glor, Allan Larson & Jonathan B. Losos

  2. Instituto de Ecología y Sistemática, CITMA, Carretera de Varona km 3.5, Boyeros, La Habana, 10800, Apartado Postal 8029, Cuba

    Lourdes Rodríguez Schettino & Ada Chamizo Lara

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  1. Jason J. Kolbe
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Correspondence to Jason J. Kolbe.

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Supplementary Information

The SI file contains 3 figures with legends, 3 tables with legends, and associated references and notes. (DOC 633 kb)

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Kolbe, J., Glor, R., Rodríguez Schettino, L. et al. Genetic variation increases during biological invasion by a Cuban lizard. Nature 431, 177–181 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/nature02807

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