Psidium guajava in the Galapagos Islands: Population genetics and history of an invasive species

A genetic analysis of guava (Psidium guajava) populations in the Galápagos Islands reveals distinct genetic structures and historical introduction patterns. The study found that San Cristóbal and Isabela populations are genetically distinct, while Santa Cruz shows a mixture of both, suggesting multiple introductions or secondary spread from San Cristóbal to Isabela. Genetic bottlenecks indicate a likely initial introduction in San Cristóbal, with subsequent movements to other islands. This contrasts with historical records, providing new insights into the invasive species' dynamics and its impact on local biodiversity.

Urquía, D., Gutierrez, B., Pozo, G., Pozo, M. J., Espín, A., & Torres, M. d. L. (2019). Psidium guajava in the Galapagos Islands: Population genetics and history of an invasive species. Plos One, 14(3), e0203737. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0203737