Bioinvasion and Adaptation: The Evolutionary Success of Zaprionus indianus

Описание: In this video, I present the main findings from my work showcased at INCOBEST 2023 on the ecology of the genus Zaprionus in Brazil and the adaptive processes associated with its bioinvasion.

Since the first record of Zaprionus indianus in Brazil in 1999, this species has rapidly expanded across multiple Brazilian biomes, occupying diverse climatic zones and urbanized environments. This study integrates ecological, demographic, morphometric, and genetic data to better understand:

🧬 The geographic expansion of the species
🌎 Its occupation of Brazilian biomes (Cerrado, Atlantic Forest, ecotones)
📊 Seasonal variation in demography and competition
🧪 Genetic structure and esterase polymorphisms
🍓 Its potential status as a secondary pest in soft fruits

The video also discusses the emergence of Zaprionus tuberculatus in the Neotropical region and its ecological implications.

A central evolutionary question guides this discussion:

👉 What makes a colonizing species evolutionarily successful?

Competition ability, phenotypic plasticity, genetic variation, and niche occupation are key elements in this invasion story.

If you are interested in:

Evolutionary biology

Invasion ecology

Population genetics

Urban ecology

Adaptation in anthropogenic environments

This lecture is for you.

Presented at the International Conference on Biology Education, Natural Science, and Technology (INCOBEST 2023).