title: Cryptic diversity in Black ratsRattus rattusof the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador.
abstract: Human activity has facilitated the introduction of a number of alien mammal species to the Galápagos Archipelago. Understanding the phylogeographic history and population genetics of invasive species on the Archipelago is an important step in predicting future spread and designing effective management strategies. In this study, we describe the invasion pathway ofRattus rattusacross the Galápagos using microsatellite data, coupled with historical knowledge. Microsatellite genotypes were generated for 581R. rattussampled from 15 islands in the archipelago. The genetic data suggest that there are at least three genetic lineages ofR. rattuspresent on the Galápagos Islands. The spatial distributions of these lineages correspond to the main centers of human settlement in the archipelago. There was limited admixture among these three lineages, and these finding coupled with low rates of gene flow among island populations suggests that interisland movement ofR. rattusis rare. The low migration among islands recorded for the species will have a positive impact on future eradication efforts.
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences University of Kwa Zulu-Natal PO Box X01 Scottsville 3209 South Africa.
authors.forename: Sandi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Willows-Munro
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology Angelo State University San Angelo Texas.
authors.forename: Robert C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Dowler
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Program Loras College Dubuque Iowa.
authors.forename: Michael R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Jarcho
authors.affiliation: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office 300 Ala Moana Blvd Rm 3-122 Honolulu Hawaii.
authors.forename: Reese B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology and Museum of Southwestern Biology University of New Mexico Albuquerque New Mexico.
authors.forename: Howard L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Snell
authors.affiliation: Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute National Zoological Park Washington District of Columbia.
authors.forename: Tammy R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Wilbert
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology George Mason University Fairfax Virginia 22030.
authors.forename: Cody W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Edwards
keywords: Biological invasions; Galápagos; conservation biology; genetic diversity; invasive species; island biology; phylogeography; rodent