Biogeography of Argentine Stem Weevil Invasion of Southern New Zealand and Two Offshore Islands
4 affiliations
- 1Bioeconomy Science Institute Tuhiraki Lincoln, Christchurch New Zealand
- 2Bioprotection Aotearoa, Genomics Aotearoa, and Biochemistry Department University of Otago Dunedin New Zealand
- 3Department of Pest‐Management and Conservation Lincoln University Lincoln New Zealand
- 4Bioeconomy Science Institute, Invermay Research Centre Mosgiel New Zealand
Abstract
Understanding the biogeography and genetics of the invasion of oceanic islands by pest species can provide insights into how to limit such incursions. The invasive pasture pest weevil, Listronotus bonariensis (Kuschel), has established in both New Zealand and some of its offshore islands, causing significant economic damage. The opportunity was therefore taken to compare both the species' morphology and genetics of populations collected from the New Zealand mainland, Stewart Island (30 km offshore) and Chatham Island (860 km offshore). The L. bonariensis individuals from both of the offshore populations were found to be significantly smaller than those of the mainland populations. However, based on classical and molecular taxonomy, no associated species‐level differences were found and it was concluded that the island's smaller populations were the result of relatively poor habitat quality. Further, no significant genetic differences were detected between Stewart Island and mainland populations, indicating a close connection. Conversely, at the genomic level, the Chatham Island population was significantly different from the two other populations and this was attributed to probable founder effects. The evidence points to a small subset of what was still a recently‐established New Zealand L. bonariensis population early in the 20th century being inadvertently transported to the Chatham Islands. Thereafter, this founding subset expanded such that more recent introductions have had little effect on the founding genetics of weevils on the island. This study investigates whether irregular, unintended human transportation of species to isolated islands can lead to the occupation of previously uninhabited niches, with founder effects leading to genetic divergence from conspecific source populations elsewhere.
Versions
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BibTeX
@article{goldson2026biogeography,
title = {{Biogeography of Argentine Stem Weevil Invasion of Southern New Zealand and Two Offshore Islands}},
author = {S. L. Goldson and P. K. Dearden and K. R. Dainty and S. N. Inwood and M. R. McNeill and J. W. M. Marris and F. Tomasetto and B. I. P. Barratt},
journal = {Ecology and Evolution},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.1002/ece3.74483},
url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ece3.74483},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Biogeography of Argentine Stem Weevil Invasion of Southern New Zealand and Two Offshore Islands
AU - S. L. Goldson
AU - P. K. Dearden
AU - K. R. Dainty
AU - S. N. Inwood
AU - M. R. McNeill
AU - J. W. M. Marris
AU - F. Tomasetto
AU - B. I. P. Barratt
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/03
JO - Ecology and Evolution
DO - 10.1002/ece3.74483
UR - https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ece3.74483
AB - Understanding the biogeography and genetics of the invasion of oceanic islands by pest species can provide insights into how to limit such incursions. The invasive pasture pest weevil, Listronotus bonariensis (Kuschel), has established in both New Zealand and some of its offshore islands, causing significant economic damage. The opportunity was therefore taken to compare both the species' morphology and genetics of populations collected from the New Zealand mainland, Stewart Island (30 km offshore) and Chatham Island (860 km offshore). The L. bonariensis individuals from both of the offshore populations were found to be significantly smaller than those of the mainland populations. However, based on classical and molecular taxonomy, no associated species‐level differences were found and it was concluded that the island's smaller populations were the result of relatively poor habitat quality. Further, no significant genetic differences were detected between Stewart Island and mainland populations, indicating a close connection. Conversely, at the genomic level, the Chatham Island population was significantly different from the two other populations and this was attributed to probable founder effects. The evidence points to a small subset of what was still a recently‐established New Zealand L. bonariensis population early in the 20th century being inadvertently transported to the Chatham Islands. Thereafter, this founding subset expanded such that more recent introductions have had little effect on the founding genetics of weevils on the island. This study investigates whether irregular, unintended human transportation of species to isolated islands can lead to the occupation of previously uninhabited niches, with founder effects leading to genetic divergence from conspecific source populations elsewhere.
SN - 2045-7758
SN - 2045-7758
ER -