Environmental Correlates to Genetic Diversity and Structure in Invasive Apple Snail (Pomacea canaliculata) Populations in China

Abstract

Invasive species are one of the most serious threats to biodiversity. Pomacea canaliculata is considered one of the world’s 100 worst invasive species. Major determinants of invasive species distribution are their environmental tolerances, and an understanding of correlations between local environmental variables (e.g., pH, concentration of dissolved oxygen) and genetic diversity is necessary to better prevent and manage the spread of invasive species. However, while such studies have demonstrated associations between the distribution and density of P. canaliculata and water quality correlates, the principal mechanisms relating genetic and these environmental correlates have not been fully articulated. Here, the correlation between physicochemical parameters and genetics of P. canaliculata were analyzed. The results showed that P. canaliculata among the six collection locations had robust genetic diversity, significant genetic differentiation, limited gene flow, and stable population dynamics. RDA analysis showed that genetic variation in P. canaliculata was significantly correlated with concentration of dissolved oxygen and pH. These results will provide a basis for effectively preventing and managing the spread of invasive species and identifying which habitats may be more at risk of invasion.