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The effects of phylogenetic relatedness on invasion success and impact: deconstructing Darwin's naturalisation conundrum
Author(s) -
Li Shaopeng,
Cadotte Marc W.,
Meiners Scott J.,
Hua Zhengshuang,
Shu Haoyue,
Li Jintian,
Shu Wensheng
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
ecology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.852
H-Index - 265
eISSN - 1461-0248
pISSN - 1461-023X
DOI - 10.1111/ele.12522
Subject(s) - naturalisation , introduced species , biology , invasive species , ecology , phylogenetic tree , niche , adaptation (eye) , evolutionary biology , genetics , neuroscience , politics , citizenship , political science , gene , law
Darwin's naturalisation conundrum describes the paradox that the relatedness of exotic species to native residents could either promote or hinder their success through opposing mechanisms: niche pre‐adaptation or competitive interactions. Previous studies focusing on single snapshots of invasion patterns have provided support to both sides of the conundrum. Here, by examining invasion dynamics of 480 plots over 40 years, we show that exotic species more closely related to native species were more likely to enter, establish and dominate the resident communities, and that native residents more closely related to these successful exotics were more likely to go locally extinct. Therefore, non‐random displacement of natives during invasion could weaken or even reverse the negative effects of exotic–native phylogenetic distances on invasion success. The scenario that exotics more closely related to native residents are more successful, but tend to eliminate their closely related natives, may help to reconcile the 150‐year‐old conundrum.