The journey of a single honey bee colony led to a species invasion, highlighting the remarkable adaptability of invasive species despite genetic limitations. Typically, invasive species thrive in new environments despite being taken far from their native habitats and facing genetic bottlenecks, which reduce their adaptability. For instance, cane toads, introduced to Australia to control pests, quickly became a pervasive problem.
Recent research on Asian honey bees in Australia sheds light on how invasive populations thrive. A study published in Current Biology reveals that tens of thousands of hives in northeastern Australia likely originated from a single bee colony introduced around 2007. Despite the initial genetic bottleneck, these bees started diversifying and adapting within just 10 years, primarily through natural selection. This finding challenges the notion that genetic bottlenecks hinder adaptive potential.
Lead researcher Kathleen Dogantzis from York University in Toronto noted that the rapid emergence of natural selection patterns was unexpected. The study identified genetic changes associated with social structure, reproduction, and foraging, indicating the bees' response to their new environment.
Using the European honey bee genome as a reference, scientists identified genetic changes related to reproduction, caste development, and foraging behavior. Despite low genetic diversity, the bees adapted rapidly, demonstrating the effectiveness of natural selection even with limited genetic variation.
However, the study has limitations. It's challenging to extrapolate findings from successful invasions, and the genetic analyses can suggest correlations but not causation. Nevertheless, the research contributes to understanding biological introductions and highlights the need for further studies across taxa to protect against future invasions and conserve endangered species.
Overall, while invasive species pose environmental challenges, studying their evolution provides valuable insights for conservation efforts and understanding biological possibilities. Suarez emphasizes the importance of learning from such research to control harmful species and protect endangered ones, demonstrating the broader implications of studying invasive species' evolution.