Genomic pedigree reconstruction identifies predictors of mating and reproductive success in an invasive vertebrate. Issue 20 (2nd October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Levine, Brenna A.; Douglas, Marlis R.; Yackel Adams, Amy A.; Lardner, Björn; Reed, Robert N.; Savidge, Julie A.; Douglas, Michael E.
• Is Part Of: Ecology and evolution. Volume 9:Issue 20(2019)
• Page Start: 11863
• Page End: 11877
• Publication Date: 2019-10-02
• Subjects: Boiga irregularis -- Brown Treesnake -- ddRAD -- parentage -- reproductive ecology -- single nucleotide polymorphisms; Ecology -- Periodicals; Evolution -- Periodicals; 577.05
• DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5694
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2045-7758

Abstract

Abstract: The persistence of an invasive species is influenced by its reproductive ecology, and a successful control program must operate on this premise. However, the reproductive ecology of invasive species may be enigmatic due to factors that also limit their management, such as cryptic coloration and behavior. We explored the mating and reproductive ecology of the invasive Brown Treesnake (BTS : Boiga irregularis ) by reconstructing a multigenerational genomic pedigree based on 654 single nucleotide polymorphisms for a geographically closed population established in 2004 on Guam ( N = 426). The pedigree allowed annual estimates of individual mating and reproductive success to be inferred for snakes in the study population over a 14‐year period. We then employed generalized linear mixed models to gauge how well phenotypic and genomic data could predict sex‐specific annual mating and reproductive success. Average snout–vent length (SVL), average body condition index (BCI), and trappability were significantly related to annual mating success for males, with average SVL also related to annual mating success for females. Male and female annual reproductive success was positively affected by SVL, BCI, and trappability. Surprisingly, the degree to which individuals were inbred had no effect on annual mating or reproductive success. When juxtaposed with current control methods, these results indicate that baited traps, a common interdiction tool, may target fecund BTS in some regards but not others. Our study emphasizes the importance of reproductive ecology as a focus for improving BTS control and promotes genomic pedigree reconstruction for such an endeavor in this invasive species and others. Abstract : Our study details the use of genomic tools (i.e., double‐digest restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing) to develop novel genomic resources (>6, 000 SNPs) for a high‐profile and invasive vertebrate pest (i.e., Brown Treesnake). We used a subset of these SNPs to reconstruct a multigenerational genomic pedigree for a wild population of Brown Treesnakes from which we inferred patterns and predictors of annual mating and reproductive success, and we juxtaposed phenotypes of individuals with high annual mating and reproductive success against those of commonly trapped individuals to assess existing management efficacy. Our results promote the use of genomic pedigree reconstruction to elucidate the reproductive ecology of invasive species with cryptic coloration and behaviors, so as to inform and improve management.