Tracking the origins of the introduced terrestrial amphipod, Puhuruhuru patersoni , on sub‐Antarctic Macquarie Island

A genetic analysis of the introduced amphipod Puhuruhuru patersoni on Macquarie Island reveals that the species likely originated from the southern region of New Zealand's South Island. The study, which compared mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) data across the known range of P. patersoni, found significantly lower genetic diversity on Macquarie Island than in its native range. Phylogenetic reconstructions further supported this conclusion, suggesting that the introduction to the sub-Antarctic island was probably linked to historical activities between New Zealand and Macquarie Island. This finding sheds light on the origins of invasive species and their potential impact on fragile ecosystems like those found at UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Parvizi, E., McGaughran, A., & Stevens, M. I. (2023). Tracking the origins of the introduced terrestrial amphipod, Puhuruhuru patersoni , on sub‐Antarctic Macquarie Island. New Zealand Journal of Zoology, 51(1), 77–87. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1080/03014223.2023.2224580