Genetic differences in growth of an invasive tree species

Invasive plants are often more vigorous in their introduced ranges than in their native ranges. This may reflect an innate superiority of plants from some habitats or an escape from their enemies. Another hypothesis proposes that invasive plants evolve increased competitive ability in their introduc...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ecology letters 2001-11, Vol.4 (6), p.514-518
Main Authors: Siemann, Evan, Rogers, William E.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Chinese Tallow Tree
defence
Evolution of increased competitive ability
invasion
plant growth
Sapium sebiferum
trade-off
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Summary:Invasive plants are often more vigorous in their introduced ranges than in their native ranges. This may reflect an innate superiority of plants from some habitats or an escape from their enemies. Another hypothesis proposes that invasive plants evolve increased competitive ability in their introduced range. We present the results of a 14‐year common garden experiment with the Chinese Tallow Tree (Sapium sebiferum) from its native range (Asia), place of introduction to North America (Georgia) and areas colonized a century later (Louisiana and Texas). Invasive genotypes, especially those from recently colonized areas, were larger than native genotypes and more likely to produce seeds but had lower quality, poorly defended leaves. Our results demonstrate significant post‐invasion genetic differences in an invasive plant species. Post‐introduction adaptation by introduced plants may contribute to their invasive success and make it difficult to predict problem species.
ISSN:1461-023X
1461-0248
DOI:10.1046/j.1461-0248.2001.00274.x