Contrasting genetic population structures in acorn weevils ( <scp> <i>Curculio</i> spp. </scp> ) in expanding forests: The effects of differences in resource?tracking strategies

Woody vegetation spread over former croplands in Europe has created new unexploited habitats for forest organisms. Their ability to colonise them and thrive depends on life-history traits including fecundity, dormancy dispersal ability. The effects of these species distribution, abundance community assembly have been extensively studied fragmented landscapes. However, their consequences genetic diversity connectivity local populations remain largely unknown. We investigated the population structure Curculio elephas glandium (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), two sympatric acorn weevils with contrasting strategies, a landscape mature oak stands plots expanding forests. Using fragment mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 nuclear DNA (80 single nucleotide polymorphisms [SNPs]), we found that flow between was significantly weaker poor disperser C. elephas, especially isolated neutrality tests did show expansion which suffers frequent bottlenecks (probably linked extended dormancy) is coloniser its greater fecundity allows it recovery quickly if number reproductive individuals falls. Its are thus larger but genetically less diverse than those Within foraging guilds, most fecund will outcompete others under context constrained dispersal. Hence, landscapes forests represent good opportunity more mobile so be temporarily released from competition.