Effect of Life-History Traits and Habitat Condition on Genetic Diversity between Invasive and Native Plant Populations

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The paper deals with a relevant topic, and the manuscript is well prepared (except for the reference list). The text is coherent and logically presented. A few inaccuracies and minor shortcomings are noted.

1. Line 52. I very much doubt that the selfing can be considered a variant of asexual reproduction.  If apomixis can be considered a specific variant of asexual reproduction because there is no fusion of gametes, then in the case of selfing the seeds are formed after the fusion of the gametes, despite the fact that they are genetically very close or even identical. 

2. Line 169, 171, etc. Plural of the term genus is genera.

3. Line 172. The sentence "The populations ranged from four to 50 in the invasive range [...]" is not entirely clear. Did you mean from four to 50 individuals?

4. Figure 2. What does the abbreviation "cap." mean? and "prop."?  I guess capacity and propagation, respectively, but that's just my guess. All abbreviations in the article should be clear to avoid ambiguity. 

5. Lines 185-186. You state that "Overall, the mixed effect models showed a significant negative effect on genetic diversity [...]". Whose effect is significantly negative?

6. Line 196. You state that "Habitat condition had a significant negative effect on genetic diversity".  Does any habitat condition really have a negative effect on genetic diversity? I think the sentence should be edited to express the point precisely. 

7. Line 253. You say, "aiming to determine which factors (i.e., mating systems, life-form, habitat type) [...]", however, in the result section, you do not discuss the habitat type, but rather the habitat condition. The sentence should be clarified, as the term 'habitat type' usually refers to different habitat characteristics (e.g., dry grassland, evergreen forest). 

8. In your discussion, you discuss at length the loss of genetic diversity of invasive species and its causes, but I miss the analysis of the consequences. What impact might the reduced genetic diversity have on the future of the invasive species in question? I understand that you did not ask this question in the objectives, but it would be worth addressing it in the discussion, and presenting the expected or implied changes, based on studies by other authors.

9. In the list of references, all the words have been merged for some reason. The entire reference list needs to be thoroughly reviewed and organised according to the requirements.

Author Response

Please see the attachment

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

This paper presents how life-history traits and habitat condition affects genetic diversity between invasive and native plant populations. The results are interesting and publishable.

However, the paper is too wordy, especially the introduction. I suggest making it concise.

The future recommendation is too long. It should be finished in a couple of sentences. The paper should be reader-friendly.

Some of the references are old. Please update them.

References are not formatted properly and there are plenty of spacing issues.

There are too many references Make the list short.

Figures should be of good quality and professional. Please avoid minor gridlines.

Language quality needs improvement.

Author Response

Please see the attachment

Author Response File: Author Response.docx