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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Molecular Ecology

The Genomic Complexity of Invasion: Cryptic Lineages, Founder Effects and Sex Determination in Armoured Catfish

  • Wynne V. Radcliffe1,2
  • Daemin Kim1,2
  • Kiedon Bryant2
  • Christopher L. Riggins3
  • Thomas Heard3
  • Monica E. McGarrity4
  • Daniel J. Daugherty5
  • Joshuah S. Perkin6
  • Rachel L. Moran1,2
6 affiliations
  1. 1Department of Ecology and Evolution University of Chicago Chicago Illinois USA
  2. 2Department of Biology Texas A&M University College Station Texas USA
  3. 3Meadows Center for Water and the Environment Texas State University San Marcos Texas USA
  4. 4Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Inland Fisheries Division Austin Texas USA
  5. 5Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Inland Fisheries Division Heart of the Hills Fisheries Science Center Mountain Home Texas USA
  6. 6Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology Texas A&M University College Station Texas USA
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Abstract

Genetic biocontrol approaches offer promising tools for managing invasive species. However, their success depends on species identity, demographic history and the genomic architecture of sex determination, which remain poorly resolved for many non‐model taxa. We integrated high‐quality genome assembly, whole‐genome resequencing and population genomics to evaluate biocontrol feasibility in invasive suckermouth armoured catfish (Loricariidae) in Texas. Mitochondrial phylogenies and genome‐wide SNPs revealed cryptic diversity, with distinct lineages from at least two genera (Hypostomus and Pterygoplichthys) exhibiting strong drainage‐level genetic differentiation. Effective population size estimates were exceptionally low, consistent with founder effects and moderate inbreeding. Genome‐wide association analyses detected no large‐effect loci for sex in either genus, despite high statistical power in Hypostomus, suggesting that sex determination is polygenic and/or environmentally influenced. These results identify key biological constraints for sex‐ratio‐based biocontrol and underscore the importance of genomic assessments prior to management interventions. More broadly, our study highlights how integrating genomic resources, demographic inference and evolutionary context can guide invasive species control strategies.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{radcliffe2026genomic,
  title = {{The Genomic Complexity of Invasion: Cryptic Lineages, Founder Effects and Sex Determination in Armoured Catfish}},
  author = {Wynne V. Radcliffe and Daemin Kim and Kiedon Bryant and Christopher L. Riggins and Thomas Heard and Monica E. McGarrity and Daniel J. Daugherty and Joshuah S. Perkin and Rachel L. Moran},
  journal = {Molecular Ecology},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.1111/mec.70609},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.70609},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - The Genomic Complexity of Invasion: Cryptic Lineages, Founder Effects and Sex Determination in Armoured Catfish
AU  - Wynne V. Radcliffe
AU  - Daemin Kim
AU  - Kiedon Bryant
AU  - Christopher L. Riggins
AU  - Thomas Heard
AU  - Monica E. McGarrity
AU  - Daniel J. Daugherty
AU  - Joshuah S. Perkin
AU  - Rachel L. Moran
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/27
JO  - Molecular Ecology
DO  - 10.1111/mec.70609
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.70609
AB  - Genetic biocontrol approaches offer promising tools for managing invasive species. However, their success depends on species identity, demographic history and the genomic architecture of sex determination, which remain poorly resolved for many non‐model taxa. We integrated high‐quality genome assembly, whole‐genome resequencing and population genomics to evaluate biocontrol feasibility in invasive suckermouth armoured catfish (Loricariidae) in Texas. Mitochondrial phylogenies and genome‐wide SNPs revealed cryptic diversity, with distinct lineages from at least two genera (Hypostomus and Pterygoplichthys) exhibiting strong drainage‐level genetic differentiation. Effective population size estimates were exceptionally low, consistent with founder effects and moderate inbreeding. Genome‐wide association analyses detected no large‐effect loci for sex in either genus, despite high statistical power in Hypostomus, suggesting that sex determination is polygenic and/or environmentally influenced. These results identify key biological constraints for sex‐ratio‐based biocontrol and underscore the importance of genomic assessments prior to management interventions. More broadly, our study highlights how integrating genomic resources, demographic inference and evolutionary context can guide invasive species control strategies.
SN  - 0962-1083
SN  - 1365-294X
ER  -