Genetic composition of resident populations influences establishment success of immigrant species.
We conducted an outdoor container experiment to test the hypothesis that the genetic composition of resident populations influences the establishment success of immigrant species. We manipulated the genetic compositions (source populations) of populations of the water flea Daphnia magna, a strong competitor in pond and shallow lake zooplankton communities, and monitored the establishment success of immigrant cladoceran species of a regional species pool. We show that establishment success is affected by the source population of the resident D. magna as well as by the presence/absence of macrophytes and the presence/absence of fish in the containers. Our results provide evidence that the genetic composition of resident populations can impact community assembly and metacommunity dynamics, and that community genetics can influence ecosystem functioning.
De Meester
Luc
L
Laboratory of Aquatic Ecology, K. U. Leuven, Charles de Bériotstraat 32, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. luc.demeester@bio.kuleuven.be
Louette
Gerald
G
Duvivier
Cathy
C
Van Damme
Celien
C
Michels
Erik
E
D000818:Animals; D003163:Competitive Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D003621:Daphnia / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D017753:Ecosystem; D019684:Magnoliopsida / Q000502:physiology; D010473:Perciformes / Q000502:physiology; D011157:Population Dynamics; D023701:Smegmamorpha / Q000502:physiology; D015048:Zooplankton / Q000502:physiology*