Where do adaptive shifts occur during invasion? A multidisciplinary approach to unravelling cold adaptation in a tropical ant species invading the Mediterranean area

Abstract

Evolution may improve the invasiveness of populations, but it often remains unclear whether key adaptation events occur after introduction into the recipient habitat (i.e. post-introduction adaptation scenario), or before introduction within the native range (i.e. prior-adaptation scenario) or at a primary site of invasion (i.e. bridgehead scenario). We used a multidisciplinary approach to determine which of these three scenarios underlies the invasion of the tropical ant Wasmannia auropunctata in a Mediterranean region (i.e. Israel). Species distribution models (SDM), phylogeographical analyses at a broad geographical scale and laboratory experiments on appropriate native and invasive populations indicated that Israeli populations followed an invasion scenario in which adaptation to cold occurred at the southern limit of the native range before dispersal to Israel. We discuss the usefulness of combining SDM, genetic and experimental approaches for unambiguous determination of eco-evolutionary invasion scenarios.

Distribution of Endosymbiotic Reproductive Manipulators Reflects Invasion Process and Not Reproductive System Polymorphism in the Little Fire Ant Wasmannia auropunctata

“…Populations established in Florida, Hawaii, Australia, and in the Vanuatu Islands were found to be infected by the same Wolbachia strain. These populations have previously been shown to share a unique mitochondrial haplotype and to display closely related clonal queens genotypes at microsatellite markers [35]–[49]. The distribution and identity of the Wolbachia strain uncovered in the infected introduced populations are therefore consistent with previous studies.…”

Wasmannia Forel (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae) in Argentina: Systematics and Distribution

“…Clonal queens from Israel display a multilocus microsatellite genotype similar to that found in queens from Zárate; the Israeli clonal males also display a multilocus haploid genotype remarkably similar to the clonal males found in Zárate. As in the Israeli population, this Argentinean clonal population seems to be more adapted to low temperatures than those clonal populations present in tropical regions (Rey et al, 2012).…”

“…Gynandromorphism is common in Hymenoptera (ants: Jones & Phillips, 1985;bees: Wcislo et al, 2004). These sexual mosaics have been reported in more than 40 ant species (Jones &Phillips, 1985) but, to date, their production has only been explained in two cases: sub-lethally high breeding temperature in the pharaoh's ant, Monomorium pharaonis (L.) (Berndt & Kremer, 1982), and Wolbachia infections in the isopod Armadillidium vulgare (Rigaud & Juchault, 1993 Argentina (Fig 4); however, it is common only in anthropic habitats, mostly in northeastern Argentina (Rey et al, 2012;L.A.C, unpublished data). Nests are usually found in urban areas under stones, around or inside tree trunks, and under sidewalks.…”

“…Although numerous studies were conducted on the LFA in northern South America (Ulloa-Chacón & Cherix, 1990, de Souza et al, 1998, little is known about populations at the southern limit of its native range (Kuznezov, 1952, Rey et al 2012, Calcaterra et al, 2012.…”

Assessing Species Distribution Using Google Street View: A Pilot Study with the Pine Processionary Moth

“…In that context, GISs have proven particularly precious to monitor species spread [5]. There is a concomitant increasing demand for data documenting the spatial distribution of species for different objectives such as monitoring and modelling species range expansion [6], [7], anticipating future distributions and devising control strategies [8]–[11], studying mechanisms at work with species dispersal and the relationships with landscape composition and physiognomy [12]. Unfortunately, the amount of data available is limited for a majority of taxa and geographical regions.…”