Stahlke et al. developed a reference genome for tamarisk beetles (Diorhabda spp.) and reference panel of all four introduced parental species to monitor range expansion and hybridization across North America. They found a substantial genetic bottleneck among D. carinulata in N. America, although populations continue to establish and spread, possibly due to aggregation behavior. Among hybrids, they found that D. carinata, D. elongata, and D. sublineata hybridize in the field, especially in eastern New Mexico, with D. carinata × D. sublineata hybrids being the most abundant. Genetic diversity was greater at sites with hybrids, highlighting potential for increased ability to adapt and expand.
Stahlke, A. R., Bitume, E. V., Özsoy, Z. A., Bean, D. W., Veillet, A., Clark, M. I., Clark, E. I., Moran, P., Hufbauer, R. A., & Hohenlohe, P. A. 2022. Evolutionary Applications, 15, 60– 77.
Read the article at https://doi.org/10.1111/eva.13325.