Genetic bottlenecks and successful biological invasions: the case of a recent Lessepsian migrant.
Our current understanding of the mechanisms that lead to successful biological invasions is limited. Although adaptations play a central role in biological invasions, genetic studies have so far failed to produce a unified theory. The bluespotted cornetfish, a recent Red Sea invader in the Mediterranean Sea via the Suez Canal, provides an ideal case study for research in the mechanisms of invasive genetics. In this study, we show that the invading bluespotted cornetfish underwent a severe population bottleneck that reduced the genetic diversity of this immigrant to only two mitochondrial haplotypes. Although loss of genetic diversity is considered detrimental to the need to adapt to new environments, bluespotted cornetfish experienced an unprecedented success and rapid spread across the Mediterranean.
Golani
Daniel
D
Department of Evolution, Systematics and Ecology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91904 Jerusalem, Israel.
Azzurro
Ernesto
E
Corsini-Foka
Maria
M
Falautano
Manuela
M
Andaloro
Franco
F
Bernardi
Giacomo
G
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D025041:Animal Migration; D000818:Animals; D005399:Fishes / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006239:Haplotypes; D010802:Phylogeny