Phylogenetic isolation increases plant success despite increasing susceptibility to generalist herbivores

Exotic species are invading new ecosystems faster than has ever occurred via natural processes (Mack et al., 2000), homogenizing the world’s biota and leading to significant ecological and economic impacts (Wilcove et al., 1998; Pimentel et al., 2005). It has long been hypothesized that invasions are biased towards introduced species that are unrelated to the recipient community. Darwin’s Naturalization Hypothesis (DNH, Darwin, 1859), for example, posits that more distantly related Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, 647 Contees Wharf Road, Edgewater, MD 21037, USA, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, 3000 NE 151st St, Miami, FL 33181, USA, Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, 4202 East Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33620, USA, Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, University of Minnesota, 1987 Upper Buford Circle, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA