Comparative genomics of recent rapid adaptation in invasive spiders

Understanding the genetic consequence of invasive success is crucial for biodiversity conservation under global change. Although various ecological traits common to invasive species have been identified, the genomic basis of invasive success and degree to which invasive species from different lineages have utilized common genes remain largely unknown. Here, we investigate 15 genomes of spider species, representing five instances of independent recent invasive success globally. By phylogenetically comparing the relative evolutionary rates between invasive and their non-invasive relatives, we reveal genome contents that associated with neurogenesis, brain development, mitochondria were under rapid molecular evolution in invasive spiders. We further identify genes involved in reproduction, larval development, immune response and nervous system developments that experienced convergent intensification of selection, while multiple metabolic processes associated genes underwent relaxed selection during the transition to invasive success. Our results also indicate that catabolic and metabolic gene repertoire under convergent positive selection may be associated with rapid adaptation to new environments in invasive spiders. Altogether, these findings pave the way towards a deeper understanding of recent rapid adaptation in invasive species.