Matching the origin of an invasive weed for selection of a herbivore haplotype for a biological control programme

Abstract

The Florida Everglades have been invaded by an exotic weed fern, Lygodium microphyllum. Across its native distribution in the Old World tropics from Africa to Australasia it was found to have multiple location-specific haplotypes. Within this distribution, the climbing fern is attacked by a phytophagous mite, Floracarus perrepae, also with multiple haplotypes. The genetic relationship between mite and fern haplotypes was matched by an overarching geographical relationship between the two. Further, mites that occur in the same location as a particular fern haplotype were better able to utilize the fern than mites from more distant locations. From a biological control context, we are able to show that the weed fern in the Everglades most likely originated in northern Queensland, Australia/Papua New Guinea and that the mite from northern Queensland offers the greatest prospect for control.

Forensic reconstruction ofIctalurus punctatusinvasion routes using on-line fishermen records

“…It is also extremely important in delineating adequate management plans (e.g. Goolsby et al, 2006) and in future monitoring of species' establishment and impact. Additionally, the spatial and temporal invasion of the channel catfish within the Guadiana watershed was reconstructed based on anglers' online records, and the usefulness of this type of approach for invasion pathway reconstruction was demonstrated.…”

The genetic consequences of a demographic bottleneck in an introduced biological control insect

“…Work on intentionally introduced species such as biological control agents can often take advantage of a large amount of information on the timing, duration and intensity of a demographic bottleneck because of records of the introduction (Debach and Rosen 1991;Hufbauer et al 2004;Goolsby et al 2006). We took advantage of a unique opportunity to investigate the population genetics of an introduced species with a very well characterized introduction history and with genetic material available from the original founding population.…”

Trade-Offs Among Ecosystem Services and Disservices on a Florida Ranch

“…In addition to potential issues of liability, this lack of transparency could also affect management efforts, particularly biological control. The best-adapted biological control agents are often found in the area where the genotype of an invasive weed origi-nated (Harley and Forno 1992;Goolsby et al 2006), but without a tracking system available to the public, determination of the introduction history of the weed population is compromised. We recommend adoption of a more transparent "cradle to grave" management system similar to that used for pesticides.…”