Genetic diversity of Ponto-Caspian amphipods throughout the invaded Baltic and native NW Black Sea donor ranges: does introduction mode matter?

The SE Baltic region harbors a diverse assemblage of alien amphipods of Ponto-Caspian origin. The composition of this fauna was shaped by three invasion waves: (1) pre-twentieth century dispersals via watershed-connecting canals, (2) deliberate introductions in the 1960s, and (3) last decade dispersals via shipping and existing canals. Given this complex history, we test whether genetic diversity (mitochondrial COI and nuclear OPS) differs between the native and invaded ranges and between the deliberately introduced species and the ones that dispersed on their own. We find that in the native range the two species groups exhibited similar COI diversity, while OPS diversity was higher in the deliberately introduced species. In the invaded range, COI diversity significantly decreased in all species, but more so in the self-dispersed group. No change in OPS diversity was detected among ranges. Mitochondrial diversity was more structured geographically in the native range, and the dominant invasive haplotypes were detected in the native populations of all but one species, further highlighting the utility of this marker in tracing invasion sources. Our comparative approach provides important insight into the inter-range genetic diversity of Ponto-Caspian invaders, highlighting the role of introduction mode.

Automated summary

The SE Baltic region is home to a diverse group of alien amphipods from the Ponto-Caspian region. The composition of this fauna has been influenced by three waves of invasion. We conducted a study to determine if there are differences in genetic diversity between the native and invaded ranges, and between deliberately introduced species and those that dispersed on their own. Our findings showed that COI diversity decreased in all species in the invaded range, with a greater decrease in the self-dispersed group. OPS diversity did not change significantly between ranges. Mitochondrial diversity was more geographically structured in the native range, and dominant invasive haplotypes were detected in the native populations of most species. This study provides important insights into the inter-range genetic diversity of Ponto-Caspian invaders, particularly the role of introduction mode.