Selection despite low genetic diversity and high gene flow in a rapid
island invasion of the bumblebee, Bombus terrestris
Abstract
Invasive species are predicted to adjust their morphological,
physiological, and life-history traits to adapt to their non-native
environments. Although a loss of genetic variation during invasion may
restrict local adaptation, introduced species often thrive in novel
environments. Despite being founded by just a few individuals, the
bumblebee Bombus terrestris (Hymenoptera: Apidae) has
successfully spread across the island of Tasmania (Australia) in less
than 30 years, becoming abundant and competitive with native
pollinators. We use RADseq to investigate the neutral and adaptive
genetic processes associated with environmental and morphological
variation following the invasion of B. terrestris in Tasmania.
Across 15 sites, we found high gene flow with low genetic diversity,
significant isolation-by-distance, and spatial variation in effective
migration rates. A longitudinal band of restricted migration was evident
across the mid-central region of Tasmania, corresponding to sites with
high elevation, pastural land, low wind speeds and low precipitation
seasonality. Tajima’s D indicated a recent population expansion for
central sites extending from the south to the north of the island.
Significant selection signatures were found for loci in relation to
precipitation, wind speed, and wing loading. Candidate loci were
annotated to genes with functions related to cuticle water retention,
and insect flight muscle stability. Understanding how a genetically
impoverished invasive bumblebee has rapidly adapted to a novel island
environment provides further understanding about the evolutionary
processes that determine successful insect invasions, and the potential
for invasive hymenopteran pollinators to spread globally.