2005/01/01 by Marc Rius, John A. Darling, Silvia Elena Tendlarz · 1 citation
Arts and Humanities · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Environmental Science · #Cultural and Mythological Studies #Environmental DNA in Biodiversity Studies #Fish Ecology and Management Studies #Genetic diversity and population structure
paper · doi:10.1016/j.tree.2014.02.003
openalex publication_date 2005/01/01 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/04/28
Genetic admixture of divergent intraspecific lineages is increasingly suspected to have an important role in the success of colonising populations. However, admixture is not a universally beneficial genetic phenomenon. Selection is typically expected to favour locally adapted genotypes and can act against admixed individuals, suggesting that there are some conditions under which admixture will have negative impacts on population fitness. Therefore, it remains unclear how often admixture acts as a true driver of colonisation success. Here, we review the population consequences of admixture and discuss its costs and benefits across a broad spectrum of ecological contexts. We critically evaluate the evidence for a causal role of admixture in successful colonisation, and consider that role more generally in driving population range expansion.