Genetic structuring and diversity patterns along rivers – local invasion history of Ambrosia artemisiifolia (Asteraceae) along the Danube River in Vienna (Austria) shows non‐linear pattern |
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| Authors: | M Kropf A S Huppenberger G Karrer |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Institute for Integrative Nature Conservation Research, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Vienna, Austria;2. Institute of Botany, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Vienna, Austria |
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| Abstract: | Ambrosia artemisiifolia is an annual weed from North America that nowadays is invasive in many countries worldwide. In Austria, numerous populations of A. artemisiifolia are located along the Danube River, especially along the ‘New Danube’ (Vienna). This area is characterised by ruderal and riparian sites, which are regularly flooded. To better understand the spread of A. artemisiifolia and its colonising behaviour along the Danube River, we analysed genetic structure and diversity based on 23 populations linearly arranged along the Viennese Danube riverbed and upstream, utilising the Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) fingerprint method. We generated 284 polymorphic AFLP markers across 446 A. artemisiifolia plants. The genetic diversity within populations was higher (HW = 0.091) than among populations (HB = 0.007). This result indicates A. artemisiifolia introductions from similar mixtures of sources or spread from a single already mixed introduction. Within our local setting, we were unable to identify neither source or sink populations nor an obvious linear genetic structuring. Genetic among‐population differentiation was low to moderate (amova ‐derived FST = 0.124). Lack of geographical structuring is indicative of highly dynamic gene flow, which is further supported by the absence of an isolation‐by‐distance pattern. Multiple introductions and non‐directional gene flow are most likely promoted by anthropogenic disturbance and human‐mediated dispersal. Our results demonstrate the ability and speed of A. artemisiifolia to settle in newly disturbed areas and the difficulties to predict invasion directions, as downstream river dispersal was negligible. |
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| Keywords: | amplified fragment length polymorphisms common ragweed linear gene flow invasions local scale multiple introductions propagule pressure |
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