Tracing the introduction of the invasive common myna using population genomics

The common myna (Acridotheres tristis) is one of the most invasive bird
species in the world, yet its colonisation history is only partly
understood. We identified the introduction history and population
structure, and quantified the genetic diversity of myna populations from
the native range in India and the introduced populations in New Zealand,
Australia, Fiji, Hawaii, and South Africa, based on thousands of single
nucleotide polymorphism markers in 814 individuals. We were able to
identify the source population of mynas in several invasive locations:
mynas from Fiji and Melbourne, Australia, were likely founded by
individuals from a subpopulation in Maharashtra, India, while mynas in
Hawaii and South Africa were likely independently founded by individuals
from other localities in India. Our findings suggest that New Zealand
mynas were founded by individuals from Melbourne, which, in turn, were
founded by individuals from Maharashtra. We identified two genetic
clusters among New Zealand mynas, divided by New Zealand’s North Island’s
axial mountain ranges, confirming previous observations that mountains and
thick forests may form barriers to myna dispersal. Our study provides a
foundation for other population and invasion genomic studies and provides
useful information for the management of this invasive species.