2015/02/11 by Willem R. M. Meilink, Jan W. Arntzen, Jeroen J.C.W. van Delft +1 · 1 citation
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Environmental Science · #Biology #Ecology #Environmental DNA in Biodiversity Studies #Environmental pollution #Environmental protection #Evolutionary biology #Fish Ecology and Management Studies #Genetic diversity and population structure #Genetic structure #Genetic variation #Genetics #Geography #Habitat #Hybrid #Introduced species #Population #Range (aeronautics) #Threatened species #Triturus #Zoology
paper · pdf · doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2015.01.022
openalex publication_date 2015/02/11 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/02
Genetic pollution of a native species through hybridization with an invasive species poses an insidious conservation threat. To expose genetic pollution, molecular methods employing multilocus data are required. We present a case study of genetic pollution via hybridization of a native crested newt species, Triturus cristatus, by the invasive Triturus carnifex on the Veluwe in the Netherlands. We sequenced 50 nuclear markers by next generation sequencing and one mitochondrial marker by Sanger sequencing for four populations from the native range of both parent species and eleven ponds on the Veluwe. We use three population genetic approaches (HIest, BAPS and Structure) to determine the genetic composition of the Veluwe newts based on all nuclear markers, a subset of 18 diagnostic markers and the complementary 32 non-diagnostic markers, with and without parental populations. BAPS underestimates genetic pollution, whereas Structure is comparatively accurate compared to HIest, although Structure’s relative advantage decreases with the diagnosticity of the markers. Data simulation confirms these findings. Genetic composition of the Veluwe ponds ranges from completely native, via different degrees of genetic admixture, to completely invasive. The observed hybrid zone appears to be bimodal, suggesting negative selection against hybrids. A genetic footprint of the native species is present in invasive populations, evidencing that the invasive locally replaced the native species. Genetic pollution is currently confined to a small area, but the possibility of further expansion cannot be excluded. Removal of genetic pollution will not be easy. We emphasize the need for legal guidance to manage genetic pollution.