Rapid genetic and ecological differentiation during the northern range expansion of the venomous yellow sac spider Cheiracanthium punctorium in Europe

Although poleward range expansions are commonly attributed to global change, a complex interaction of ecological and evolutionary factors might contribute to expansion success. Here, we study the expansion of the yellow sac spider Cheiracanthium punctorium, a medically important species in Central Europe. Using microsatellite markers and DNA sequences, morphological and climate niche analyses, we identify factors associated with the spider’s expansion success. Our results indicate that the species’ initial expansion has been triggered by environmental change and preadaptation in the source populations. However, despite extensive gene flow, expanding populations maintain genetic and morphological differentiation from native ones, which is correlated with climatic niche differences. Moreover, expanding spiders might have temporarily escaped an eggsac parasite that causes high mortality in the native range. Hence, our results paint a complex picture of diverse factors associated with expan...

虽然向极地的分布范围扩张通常被归因于全球变化，但生态与进化因素的复杂相互作用可能是扩张成功的关键。本研究聚焦于黄囊蜘蛛（Cheiracanthium punctorium）在中欧的扩张过程——该物种在当地具有重要医学意义。通过微卫星标记（microsatellite markers）、DNA序列分析、形态学分析及气候生态位分析，我们识别出与该蜘蛛扩张成功相关的关键因素。结果表明，环境变化及源种群的预适应是触发该物种初始扩张的核心驱动力。然而，尽管存在广泛基因流，扩张种群仍与原生种群保持遗传及形态分化，且这种分化与气候生态位差异显著相关。此外，扩张中的蜘蛛种群可能暂时摆脱了在原生分布区导致高死亡率的卵囊寄生虫。因此，本研究结果揭示了扩张成功背后多元因素交织的复杂图景...