The ecological role of genome size in plant biology, biogeography, and morphology has garnered increasing attention as the methods and technology associated with measuring cytological characteristics have become more reliable and accessible. However, how plant genome size influences plant invasions and at what stage in the invasion this influence occurs have been little explored. Several large-scale analyses of published data have yielded valuable interspecific comparisons, but experimental studies that manipulate environmental factors are needed, particularly below the species level, to fully understand the role that genome size plays in plant invasion. In this review, we summarize the available knowledge, discuss the integration of genome size data into invasion research, and suggest how it can be applied to detect and manage invasive species. We also explore how global climate change could exert selective pressures on plant populations with varying genome sizes, thereby increasing the distribution range and invasiveness of some populations while decreasing others. Finally, we outline avenues for future research, including considerations of large-scale studies of intraspecific variation in genome size of invasive populations, testing the interaction of genome size with other factors in macroecological analyses of invasions, as well as the role this trait may play in plant-enemy interactions.

Centre for Invasion Biology Stellenbosch University Matieland 7602 South Africa

Department of Botany Faculty of Science Charles University Prague Benátská 2 Prague 2 CZ 128 01 Czech Republic

Department of Ecology Faculty of Science Charles University Prague Viničná 7 Prague CZ 128 44 Czech Republic

Institute of Botany Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic Průhonice CZ 252 43 Czech Republic

Jodrell Laboratory Royal Botanic Gardens Kew Richmond Surrey TW9 3AB UK

University of Rhode Island 1 Greenhouse Road Kingston RI 02881 USA

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