Evidence for recent evolution in an invasive species, Microstegium vimineum, Japanese stiltgrass

Abstract

The establishment and spread of invasive plants are often associated with a 'general-purpose genotype', with a corresponding high degree of phenotypic plasticity when introduced to a new environment. Evolutionary potential of invasive species following introduction should also be considered, however, as such changes can facilitate rapid range expansion. In this study, we utilised seed from three geographically distinct mid-Atlantic populations of an invasive species, Microstegium vimineum (Japanese stiltgrass), to assess whether populations varied in their biomass and reproductive responses to light and nitrogen under neutral glasshouse conditions. To assess evolutionary adaptation, we quantified and correlated the abiotic environment from each collection location with the final biomass and seed production of that population under common glasshouse conditions. For M. vimineum, growth and reproductive responses to a common set of abiotic parameters (e.g. light) under these conditions indicated considerable phenotypic variation between and within populations. Interestingly, the degree of variation of seed production and final biomass among populations in the glasshouse was strongly correlated with growing season length and cumulative degree days recorded near each population location. These latter data indicated that M. vimineum, introduced into this region <100 years ago, may be undergoing adaptive evolution. Although additional populations of M. vimineum need to be examined, this study suggests that local evolutionary adaptation may be occurring rapidly and could, potentially, be an important aspect in the establishment and spread of this invasive species.

Exotic plant species are locally adapted but not to high ultraviolet‐B radiation: a reciprocal multispecies experiment

“…Furthermore, approaches based on the comparison of native and exotic genotypes point to the importance of rapid adaptive evolution for the successful colonization of the exotic range (Ziska et al. ). While for some plant invasions it is possible to specifically test and identify single mechanisms as predominant keys, most of the mechanisms are not necessarily mutually exclusive but may act subsequently or even simultaneously in different stages of invasions (Dietz and Edwards , Si et al.…”

“…Release from native biotic and abiotic stressors (Blossey andN€ otzold 1995, Lin et al 2015), pre-adaptation that might match conditions in the new range (Schlaepfer et al 2010, Elst et al 2016, high phenotypic plasticity in response to a broad environmental range (Ruprecht et al 2014, Oplaat andVerhoeven 2015), or occupation of a vacant ecological niche (Dlugosch et al 2015) can be considered classical ecological mechanisms enhancing invasion success. Furthermore, approaches based on the comparison of native and exotic genotypes point to the importance of rapid adaptive evolution for the successful colonization of the exotic range (Ziska et al 2015). While for some plant invasions it is possible to specifically test and identify single mechanisms as predominant keys, most of the mechanisms are not necessarily mutually exclusive but may act subsequently or even simultaneously in different stages of invasions (Dietz and Edwards 2006, Si et al 2014, Zenni et al 2014, Lamarque et al 2015.…”

Developing integrative systematics in the informatics and genomic era, and calling for a global Biodiversity Cyberbank

“…While floras are essential components for cataloging biodiversity and for downstream applications (Wilson, ), they require a substantial investment of financial and human resources (De Wolf, ; Funk, ). Moreover, floristic documentation and synthesis at global and local scales must be a continuous endeavor, because poorly known areas remain, and taxonomic compositional changes occur over time due to human activities and other processes (Lövei, ; Chapin et al, ; Sax & Gaines, ; Soltis et al, ; Ziska et al, ). The assembly of floras can be potentially achieved more efficiently using BBDI within a comprehensive cyberbiodiversity infrastructure.…”

High‐throughput sequencing reveals bacterial community composition in the rhizosphere of the invasive plant Flaveria bidentis

“…It is acknowledged that invasive species populations pose a risk to biodiversity, ecosystem function, agricultural production and public health (Ziska et al ., ). Exotic plants can successfully invade diverse habitats, partly depending on changing the invaded soil environment (Huangfu et al ., ).…”