Comparisons through time and space suggest rapid evolution of dispersal behaviour in an invasive species.

摘要: During a biological invasion, we expect that the expanding front will increasingly become dominated by individuals with better dispersal abilities. Over many generations, selection at invasion thus favour traits that increase rates. As result of this process, cane toads (Bufo marinus) are now spreading through tropical Australia about 5-fold faster than in early years toad invasion; but how have changed to make happen? Here present data from radio-tracking free-ranging three populations (spanning 15-year period toads’ Australian and across 1800 km). Our reveal dramatic shifts behavioural (proportion nights when move their existing retreat-site new one, distance between those successive retreat-sites) associated rapid acceleration invasion. maximum 70 (~50 generations), front in apparently evolved such include higher proportion long, straight moves.