A phylogenetic approach towards understanding the drivers of plant invasiveness on Robben Island, South Africa

摘要: Invasive plant species are a considerable threat to ecosystems globally and on islands in particular where diversity can be relatively low. In this study, we examined the phylogenetic basis of invasion success Robben Island South Africa. The flora island was sampled extensively phylogeny local community reconstructed using two core DNA barcode regions, rbcLa matK. By analysing patterns native invasive floras at different scales, found that alien more distantly related species, confirmation Darwin's naturalization hypothesis. However, pattern also holds even for randomly generated communities, therefore discounting explanatory power hypothesis as unique driver island. These findings suggest drivers may linked traits rather than their evolutionary history alone, or combination thereof. This result has implications management programmes currently being implemented rehabilitate Island. © 2013 Linnean Society London, Botanical Journal Society, 2013, 172, 142–152.