Rapid evolution results in differential syndromes between native and introduced ranges in a widespread plant invader

Rapid evolution results in differential syndromes between native and introduced ranges in a widespread plant invader | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 24 October 2025 V1 Latest version Share on Rapid evolution results in differential syndromes between native and introduced ranges in a widespread plant invader Authors : Jinan Lu , Yaolin Guo 0000-0002-2203-1970 , Christina Richards 0000-0001-7848-5165 , Linfeng Li , Jihua Wu 0000-0001-8623-8519 , Evan Siemann , Bo Li 0000-0002-0439-5666 , and Rui-Ting Ju 0000-0001-9265-8245 [email protected] Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.176131101.11563153/v1 206 views 138 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract Rapid adaptive evolution is increasingly recognized as a key driver of plant invasion success. Few studies have simultaneously examined the coevolution of multidimensional traits of growth, reproduction and defense across large geographic scales in invasive plants. Using a 17-site, 85-family common-garden experiment replicated in China, we combined multivariate-trait comparisons, herbivore bioassays, climatic modelling and phenotypic-selection analyses to test whether the salt-marsh grass Spartina alterniflora evolved integrated “invasion syndromes” within 40 years of its introduction from the USA. We identified four distinct syndromes across all families. Overall, introduced Chinese families displayed superior, genetic-based syndromes that simultaneously enhanced growth, fecundity and defense against two generalist herbivores relative to native US families. Across latitudes, the dominant mid-latitude Chinese syndrome coupled the most vigorous growth with the strongest defenses and was absent from the native range. Syndrome membership was predicted by provenance temperature and/or precipitation and generated measurable fitness advantages: selection gradients favored taller, better-defended phenotypes that maximized both biomass and seed set. Latitudinal clines in nine traits within China further indicate adaptive tracking of climate across 2,000 km of coastline. We concluded that since its introduction to China, Spartina has rapidly evolved an integrated ecological strategy to enhance invasiveness under climate-driven selective pressure, which can explain why this grass became the most successful invader along the country’s coast. Our findings highlight the importance of syndrome-based approaches in understanding the evolutionary dynamics of plant invaders, and provide insights to forecast their future range expansion. Supplementary Material File (maintext.docx) Download 815.22 KB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 24 October 2025 Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Keywords biological invasion generalist latitudinal cline plant defense plant introduction spartina alterniflora Authors Affiliations Jinan Lu Fudan University View all articles by this author Yaolin Guo 0000-0002-2203-1970 Fudan University View all articles by this author Christina Richards 0000-0001-7848-5165 University of South Florida View all articles by this author Linfeng Li Fudan University View all articles by this author Jihua Wu 0000-0001-8623-8519 Lanzhou University View all articles by this author Evan Siemann Rice University View all articles by this author Bo Li 0000-0002-0439-5666 Fudan Univ View all articles by this author Rui-Ting Ju 0000-0001-9265-8245 [email protected] Fudan University View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 206 views 138 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Jinan Lu, Yaolin Guo, Christina Richards, et al. Rapid evolution results in differential syndromes between native and introduced ranges in a widespread plant invader. Authorea . 24 October 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.176131101.11563153/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu . 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