U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
                    Here's how you know **Official websites use .gov**
                            
                            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                            
                            A **lock** (                            
                              A locked padlock                                                      
                            
                            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Menu Agricultural Research Service
						
                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 Invasive Plant Research Laboratory: Fort Lauderdale, FL
 close



    Research

                    Research Projects
                                    Publications
                                    Collaborations
                                    News
                People

                    Staff Listing
                                    Careers


        


                    Outreach
                        Volunteer
                                    Outreach Activities 2019
                                    Outreach Activities 2020
                                    Outreach Activities 2022
                    K.I.N.D. GardenSearch small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home Southeast Area Fort Lauderdale, Florida Invasive Plant Research Laboratory Research Publications at this Location





- ARS National Programs
- Search for a scientific manuscript
- Search for a research project
- ARS Software
- Programs and Projects
- Collaborations
- Subjects of Investigation
- Publications

Title:   Author  item
                                            FRANKS, S - Fordham Universityitem
                                            Wheeler, Gregoryitem
                                            GOODNIGHT, C - University Of Vermont
  Submitted to: Evolution
                                    Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 10/30/2011
                                    Publication  Date: 1/12/2012
                                    Citation: Franks, S., Wheeler, G.S., Goodnight, C. 2012. Genetic variation and evolution of secondary compounds in native and introduced populations of the invasive plant Melaleuca quinquenervia. Evolution. DOI: 10.1111/j.1558-5646.2011.01524.x.Interpretive Summary: Invasive weeds introduced in a new range can show large evolutionary change from strong selective forces in their new habitat. This change can be manifested in more rapid growth and greater reproduction and decreased chemical defenses intended to protect the plant from herbivory. These changes can explain the successful establishment of many species in their introduced range.  Such changes can be manifested in greater plant size and seed production. Also, invasive plants may be more susceptible to damage from generalist herbivores. It is critical to understand the changes that have occurred and that can potentially occur when designing long-term sustainable management programs of these invasive weeds. Often the habit of the plant in its invasive range differs greatly from that of its native range. Moreover the insects that consume these plants are confronted with very different nutritional challenges. This is especially important for programs that are developing insects as biological control agents against these invasive weeds. The results of this research shows that the invasive Everglades weed, Melaleuca has decreased many of its natural chemical defenses in Florida compared with those in its native Australia. Therefore these invasive plants should be more nutritious for herbivores introduced as biological control agents.
                                Technical Abstract: Evolution of introduced species can be rapid in their invaded range but can also be constrained by loss of genetic variation. We used quantitative genetic analyses to examine multivariate evolution of secondary compounds in an invasive plant. Seeds of Melaleuca quinquenervia from its native range in Australia and introduced range in Florida were planted in common field plots. Of 20 leaf terpenoids quantified using gas chromatography, most had greater concentrations in herbivore damaged plants, indicating that they are associated with herbivory response. Most of the compounds showed lower concentrations in the introduced populations. This is consistent with an evolutionary decrease in defense, as predicted by the evolution of increased competitive ability (EICA) hypothesis. Three compounds (1,8-Cineole, E-nerolidol, and Viridiflorol) used for quantitative genetic analyses all showed positive linear selection, and there were negative genetic correlations between nerolidol and both other compounds. Genetic variances and covariances were significantly reduced in the introduced range. It appears that evolution in defensive compounds occurred despite a loss of quantitative genetic variation following introduction and genetic correlations opposing selection. Selection patterns and G-matrix comparisons also indicate that selection is more likely than drift as the mechanism of the evolutionary change.


Return to top


Connect with ARS Sign up


ARS Home
                            USDA.gov
                            Plain Writing
                            Policies & Links
                            Civil Rights Statements
                            FOIA
                            Accessibility Statement
                            Privacy Policy
                            Non-Discrimination Statement
                            Quality of Information
                            USA.gov
                            WhiteHouse.gov