Small-scale analysis of population genetics and abundance patterns of honeysuckle Lonicera periclymenum L. (Caprifoliaceae) in a North Sea island woodland system

Abstract

Invasive alien plants are considered a major driving force of biodiversity loss and can deeply alter ecosystem functioning. However, invaders can also facilitate the distribution and establishment of native species, although this has been rarely documented in the literature. We observed an increase in population abundance of the liana Lonicera periclymenum L. (honeysuckle) on the north Frisian island of Amrum and hypothesized, that a surge in phorophyte availability due to the invasive neophyte Prunus serotina Ehrh. (black cherry) supported the colonization of new patches for this autochthonous liana species. Analysis of population genetics by inter-simple-sequence repeats polymerase chain reaction (ISSR-PCR) revealed high interpopulational differentiation. The genetic diversity within populations was low. The results indicated that barriers prevent small distance dispersal of seed and pollen. Further, additional results supported our hypothesis that honeysuckle may occasionally take advan-tage of the invasive neophyte black cherry.