Global assessment of three Rumex species reveals inconsistent climatic niche shifts across multiple introduced ranges

Abstract Climatic niche shifts occur when species occupy different climates in the introduced range than their native range. are known to across a of taxa, however we do not currently understand whether climatic can consistently be predicted multiple ranges. Using three congeneric weed species, investigate one consistent other ranges where has been introduced. We compared conditions occupied by Rumex conglomeratus , R. crispus and obtusifolius between (Eurasia) (North America, Australia, New Zealand). considered metrics overlap, expansion, unfilling, pioneering, similarity determine were congeners. found that presence direction was inconsistent for each species. Within an range, however, qualitatively similar among North America Zealand experienced diverging expansion into drier wetter respectively, whilst conserved Australia. This work highlights how unique characteristics local introduction history drive shifts, comparisons only may misrepresent species’ capacity shifts. However, predictions could improved comparing related rather relying on environments