Abstract
Invasive species threaten global biodiversity, often adapting rapidly to new environments while outcompeting native species. The common myna (Acridotheres tristis) exemplifies this challenge in the Sultanate of Oman, where its aggressive behaviour and adaptability have displaced native bird species and disrupted ecosystems. Despite increasing concern, the genetic structure of this invasion remains unclear. Here we show, using 17,460 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 311 common mynas across four governorates, that this invasive species forms two distinct genetic clusters: one comprising Dhofar individuals isolated by desert expanses, and another uniting populations from Muscat, North Batinah, and South Sharqiyah with notable substructure. We find that North Batinah harbours a substantially larger effective population size than the other governorates, suggesting it may be an initial invasion source and a critical target for management. Our findings clarify the routes and scale of common myna dispersal in Oman, highlighting how localised control in Dhofar may be feasible. In contrast, an integrated approach is needed for the closely connected northern governorates. This study underscores the power of genomic monitoring to inform targeted eradication efforts and managing invasive bird populations.
Acknowledgements
The authors express their sincere appreciation for the financial and institutional support provided by the Environment Authority of Oman (www.ea.gov.om/en) and A’Sharqiyah University (www.asu.edu.om). We sincerely thank Prof. Bill Sherwin and the four reviewers for their insightful comments, which substantially enhanced this manuscript.
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Author J.L.M. declares a potential conflict of interest in that he works at Diversity Arrays Technology Pty Ltd, the company that generated the SNP data. The remaining authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.
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Al Rawahi, Q., Aliyu, A., Al-Obaidi, M.M. et al. The genomic footprint of myna invasion in Oman showcases desert isolation and urban connectivity.
Sci Rep (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-57674-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-57674-0
Keywords
- Invasive species
- Common myna
Acridotheres tristis
- Population genomics
- Genetic structure
- Oman biodiversity
Source: Ecology - nature.com
