02292nas a2200229 4500008004100000245010800041210006900149260001600218300001400234520155300248653002601801653001301827653002301840653002301863653002001886653002401906653002301930100002101953700002201974700002301996856004302019 2015 eng d00aTransposable elements as agents of rapid adaptation may explain the genetic paradox of invasive species0 aTransposable elements as agents of rapid adaptation may explain  cJan-01-2015 an/a - n/a3 a

Rapid adaptation of invasive species to novel habitats has puzzled evolutionary biologists for decades, especially as this often occurs in the face of limited genetic variability. Although some ecological traits common to invasive species have been identified, little is known about the possible genomic/genetic mechanisms that may underlie their success. A common scenario in many introductions is that small founder population sizes will often lead to reduced genetic diversity, but that invading populations experience large environmental perturbations, such as changes in habitat and environmental stress. Although sudden and intense stress is usually considered in a negative context, these perturbations may actually facilitate rapid adaptation by affecting genome structure, organisation and function via interactions with transposable elements (TEs), especially in populations with low genetic diversity. Stress-induced changes in TE activity can alter gene action and can promote structural variation that may facilitate the rapid adaptation observed in new environments. We focus here on the adaptive potential of TEs in relation to invasive species and highlight their role as powerful mutational forces that can rapidly create genetic diversity. We hypothesise that activity of transposable elements can explain rapid adaptation despite low genetic variation (the genetic paradox of invasive species), and provide a framework under which this hypothesis can be tested using recently developed and emerging genomic technologies.

10aevolutionary genetics10agenomics10aintroduced species10aloci of adaptation10amobile elements10anaturalised species10anon-functional DNA1 aStapley, Jessica1 aSanture, Anna, W.1 aDennis, Stuart, R. uhttp://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/mec.1308902147nas a2200229 4500008004100000245009800041210006900139260001600208300001400224520143200238653001701670653001301687653001701700653002101717653002401738100002101762700002201783700002301805700002301828700002301851856004301874 2014 eng d00aGlobal invasion history of the Tropical Fire Ant: a stowaway on the first global trade routes0 aGlobal invasion history of the Tropical Fire Ant a stowaway on t cJan-12-2014 an/a - n/a3 a

Biological invasions are largely thought to be contemporary, having recently increased sharply in the wake of globalization. However, human commerce had already become global by the mid-16th century when the Spanish connected the New World with Europe and Asia via their Manila galleon and West Indies trade routes. We use genetic data to trace the global invasion of one of the world's most widespread and invasive pest ants, the Tropical Fire Ant, Solenopsis geminata. Our results reveal a pattern of introduction of Old World populations that is highly consistent with historic trading routes suggesting that Spanish trade introduced the Tropical Fire Ant to Asia in the 16th century. We identify southwestern Mexico as the most likely source for the invasive populations, which is consistent with the use of Acapulco as the major Spanish port on the Pacific Ocean. From there, the Spanish galleons brought silver to Manila, which served as a hub for trade with China. The genetic data document a corresponding spread of S. geminata from Mexico via Manila to Taiwan and from there, throughout the Old World. Our descriptions of the worldwide spread of S. geminata represent a rare documented case of a biological invasion of a highly invasive and globally distributed pest species due to the earliest stages of global commerce.

10aBiogeography10afire ant10aglobal trade10ainvasion biology10aSolenopsis geminata1 aGotzek, Dietrich1 aAxen, Heather, J.1 aSuarez, Andrew, V.1 aCahan, Sara, Helms1 aShoemaker, DeWayne uhttp://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/mec.13040