The Monopolization Hypothesis and the dispersal–gene flow paradox in aquatic organisms

On the presence of Daphnia galeata in Lake Orta (N. Italy)

“…The opportunity for an immigrant genotype to colonize the habitat depends on whether resources have been monopolized by resident genotypes, the intrinsic growth rate of the population, the carrying capacity and the number of colonizing propagules (De Meester et al 2002). While the success of allochtonous species may be reduced by competition with locally adapted resident genotypes (De Meester 1996), the colonization is enhanced by the unstable conditions characterizing Lake Orta.…”

How do freshwater organisms cross the “dry ocean”? A review on passive dispersal and colonization processes with a special focus on temporary ponds

“…The apparent conflict based on the empirical evidences of the absence of a significant gene flow among geographically close and conspecific populations of organisms which have the potential for long-range passive dispersal is known as the ''dispersal -gene flow paradox' ' (De Meester et al, 2002). Boileau et al (1992) were among the first authors who stressed the importance of the ''persistent founder effect'' in shaping the distribution patterns of molecular diversity in pond-dwelling organisms; according to them, the first lineages which colonize a newly available habitat rapidly constitute very large populations and egg banks in the sediments, that might require an extremely long time to be interested by genetic erosion.…”

“…1). This potential is also supported (i) by the very fast colonization of newly formed water bodies (see Maguire, 1963;Jenkins & Buikema, 1998;De Meester et al, 2002;Audet et al, 2013, and references therein) and historically (ii) by the rapid recolonization of the faunally depleted central and northern regions of the northern hemisphere after the last Pleistocene glacial event, which is genetically mirrored by the ''southern richness vs. northern purity paradigm'' of the Holarctic biota (Hewitt, 2000;Marrone et al, 2010).…”

Role of diapause in dispersal and invasion success by aquatic invertebrates

“…Coupled with the ability of invertebrates with prolonged diapause to "travel in time" for persisting adverse environmental conditions and to use the "storage effect" of egg banks to avoid competition with native species or strains, these facts may question universal application of the "dispersal -gene flow paradox" suggested by De Meester et al (2002) for freshwater zooplankton. The egg bank in lake sediments may function not only as a "buffer" against gene flow, but, in opposite, facilitate invasion success of alien species and likely even alien strains of native species, possessing adaptive life cycles with high level of gamogenetic reproduction, possibly resulting from unintentional selection by humans (human-mediated dispersal vectors).…”

“…The problem of the degree and mode of dispersal of aquatic invertebrates, first considered by Forel in classic ecological treatise "Le Leman" (1892,1895,1904), has attracted the growing attention of biologists (Shurin 2000;Bilton et al 2001;De Meester et al 2002;Cáceres & Soluk 2002;Figuerola & Green 2002;Havel et al 2002;Bohonak & Jenkins 2003;Havel & Shurin 2004). These papers provide a broad range of opinions (sometimes contradictory) concerning the scales, rates, and relative importance of various vectors in dispersal of aquatic organisms.…”