Biological invasions and introgressive hybridisation are major drivers for the decline of native freshwater fish. However, the magnitude of the problem across a native species range, the mechanisms shaping introgression as well as invader’s dispersal and the relative role of biological invasions in the light of multiple environmental stressors are rarely described. Here, we report extensive (N=665) mtDNA sequence and (N=692) microsatellite genotypic data of 32 Northern Adriatic sites aimed to unravel the invasion of the European Barbus barbus in Italy, and the hybridisation and decline of the endemic B. plebejus. We highlight an exceptionally fast breakthrough of B. barbus within the Po River Basin, leading to widespread introgressive hybridisation with the endemic B. plebejus within few generations. In contrast, adjacent drainage systems are still unaffected from B. barbus invasion. We show that barriers to migration are inefficient to halt the invasion process and that propagule pressure, and not environmental quality, is the major driver responsible for B. barbus success. Both introgressive hybridisation and invader’s dispersal are facilitated by ongoing fisheries management practices. Therefore, immediate changes in fisheries management (i.e. stocking and translocation measures) and a detailed conservation plan, focussed on remnant purebred B. plebejus populations, are urgently needed.

Meraner, A.; Venturi, A.; Ficetola, G.F.; Rossi, S.; Candiotto, A.; Gandolfi, A. (2013). Massive invasion of exotic Barbus barbus and introgressive hybridisation with endemic B. plebejus in Northern Italy: where, how and why?. MOLECULAR ECOLOGY, 22 (21): 5295-5312. doi: 10.1111/mec.12470 handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10449/22465

Massive invasion of exotic Barbus barbus and introgressive hybridisation with endemic B. plebejus in Northern Italy: where, how and why?

Meraner, Andreas;Venturi, Andrea;Gandolfi, Andrea
2013-01-01

Abstract

Biological invasions and introgressive hybridisation are major drivers for the decline of native freshwater fish. However, the magnitude of the problem across a native species range, the mechanisms shaping introgression as well as invader’s dispersal and the relative role of biological invasions in the light of multiple environmental stressors are rarely described. Here, we report extensive (N=665) mtDNA sequence and (N=692) microsatellite genotypic data of 32 Northern Adriatic sites aimed to unravel the invasion of the European Barbus barbus in Italy, and the hybridisation and decline of the endemic B. plebejus. We highlight an exceptionally fast breakthrough of B. barbus within the Po River Basin, leading to widespread introgressive hybridisation with the endemic B. plebejus within few generations. In contrast, adjacent drainage systems are still unaffected from B. barbus invasion. We show that barriers to migration are inefficient to halt the invasion process and that propagule pressure, and not environmental quality, is the major driver responsible for B. barbus success. Both introgressive hybridisation and invader’s dispersal are facilitated by ongoing fisheries management practices. Therefore, immediate changes in fisheries management (i.e. stocking and translocation measures) and a detailed conservation plan, focussed on remnant purebred B. plebejus populations, are urgently needed.
Barbus barbus
Barbus plebejus
Biological invasions
Adriatic
Introgressive hybridisation
Propagule pressure
Settore BIO/07 - ECOLOGIA
2013
Meraner, A.; Venturi, A.; Ficetola, G.F.; Rossi, S.; Candiotto, A.; Gandolfi, A. (2013). Massive invasion of exotic Barbus barbus and introgressive hybridisation with endemic B. plebejus in Northern Italy: where, how and why?. MOLECULAR ECOLOGY, 22 (21): 5295-5312. doi: 10.1111/mec.12470 handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10449/22465
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