Document: SCO-3-16-6

Predicting and interpreting post-invasion evolution.

CARROLL, S.* and H.DINGLE

University of California, Davis, CA 95616 USA ¹

Abstract:
Understanding evolutionary change of organisms in new or altered habitats is likely to be one of the most important challenges of conservation biology in coming centuries. Yet applied evolutionary ecology is in its infancy- even though there exists a strong theoretical basis for interpreting evolutionary change in populations, unique genetic and phenotypic attributes of species and populations render practical generalizations tenuous and argue for considering each population individually. Nonetheless, review of relevant cases points to surprisingly great potential for rapid adaptive evolution. One interesting model for post-invasion evolution in the short term is that of the North American soapberry bug Jadera haematoloma. Populations that have colonized introduced host plants have evolved different mouthpart lengths (as a function of fruit size), new host preferences, and dramatically revised developmental control of life history organization, all within the last 50 years. These rapid responses are possible because of high additive or dominance genetic variances for these traits. The results point out the potential for predicting adaptive response from genetic information, the importance of phenotypic discontinuities in rapid evolution, and the role of behavioral evolution in determining the manner in which new environments are experienced. Appreciating such processes will further our ability to assess how established invaders will impact and integrate into their new communities, as well as how threatened species will adapt to altered and managed habitats.

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This abstract is being presented at: 3:30 PM in session:
Symposium #6: Ecological Consequences of Adaptive Evolution Among Invasive Species in Terrestrial and Marine Systems.