Published January 30, 2020 | Version v1
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The role of preadaptation, propagule pressure and competition in the colonization of new habitats

  • 1. German Center for Integrative Biodiversity Research
  • 2. University of Groningen
  • 3. Ghent University

Description

To successfully colonize new habitats, organisms not only need to gain access to it, they also need to cope with the selective pressures imposed by the local biotic and abiotic conditions. The number of immigrants, the preadaptation to the local habitat and the presence of competitors are important factors determining the success of colonization. Here, using two experimental set-ups, we studied the effect of interspecific competition in combination with propagule pressure and preadaptation on the colonization success of new habitats. Our model system consisted of tomato plants (the novel habitat), the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) as our focal species and the red spider mite (Tetranychus evansi) as a competitor. Our results show that propagule pressure and preadaptation positively affect colonization success. More successful populations reach larger final population sizes either by having higher per capita growth rates (due to preadaptation effects) or by starting a population with a larger number of individuals. Although populations are more successful colonizing non-competitive environments than competitive ones, propagule pressure and preadaptation counteract the negative effects of competition, promoting colonization success. Our study shows the importance of propagule pressure and preadaptation for successful colonization of new habitats by providing the ability to cope with both the exigencies of new environments and the community context.

Notes

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Funding provided by: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation)
Crossref Funder Registry ID:
Award Number: FZT 118

Funding provided by: Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO)
Crossref Funder Registry ID:
Award Number: VICI grant

Funding provided by: Ebbo Emmius Fund
Crossref Funder Registry ID:
Award Number:

Funding provided by: Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO)
Crossref Funder Registry ID:
Award Number: An eco-evolutionary network of biotic interactions

Funding provided by: BelSpo IAP
Crossref Funder Registry ID:
Award Number: 'SPatial and environmental determinants of Eco-Evolutionary DYnamics: anthropogenic environments as a model'

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Related works

Is cited by
10.1111/oik.06871 (DOI)