CONTRASTING LEVELS OF GENETIC DIVERSITY AMONG POPULATIONS OF THE ENDANGERED TROPICAL PALM EUTERPE EDULIS MARTIUS

ABSTRACT Euterpe edulis is a tropical species that produces the heart of palm, an edible product of high economic importance. However, its natural populations have been severely threatened by unrestricted exploitation, along with the destruction of its natural biome, the Atlantic Rainforest in Brazil. In this work, we examined the genetic diversity status of five natural populations using isozyme markers. Despite their limitations and replacement by DNA-based markers, isozymes are codominant markers that reveal accurate estimates of genetic diversity and structure patterns, as do microsatellites. Six informative isozyme markers were used to analyze the genetic variability of populations located in different areas of the Atlantic Forest (Ombrophilous Dense Forest and Seasonal Forest), and with different degrees of perturbation. Mean genetic diversity for all populations (Ho = 0.172, for 13 loci) was considered low for a tropical species, even for the markers used. Populations from Ombrophilous Dense Forest at the very South limit of distribution of the heart of palm presented the lowest genetic variability (Ho = 0.141), which is clearly observed from the allele frequencies, and might implicate in less adaptive potential in a scenario of climate change. On the contrary, the Seasonal Forest population presented the highest diversity (Ho = 0.237). It comprises one of the largest remaining reservoirs of heart of palm and maybe of its genetic variability. The contrasting levels of genetic diversity encountered in this study rehash the constant need of monitoring and conserving the current genetic diversity of E. edulis populations, as well as exploring strategies for its breeding.

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Using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA to Assess Genetic Diversity and Structure of NaturalCalophyllum brasiliense(Clusiaceae) Populations in Riparian Forests

International Journal of Forestry Research ◽

10.1155/2014/305286 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Evânia Galvão Mendonça ◽

Anderson Marcos de Souza ◽

Fábio de Almeida Vieira ◽

Regiane Abjaud Estopa ◽

Cristiane Aparecida Fioravante Reis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Genetic Variability ◽

Random Amplified Polymorphic Dna ◽

Natural Populations ◽

Rio Grande ◽

Shannon Index ◽

High Genetic Diversity ◽

Family Structures ◽

Genetic Diversity And Structure ◽

Kinship Coefficients

The objective of this study was to assess the genetic variability in two natural populations ofCalophyllum brasilienselocated along two different rivers in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, using RAPD molecular markers. Eighty-two polymorphic fragments were amplified using 27 primers. The values obtained for Shannon index (I) were 0.513 and 0.530 for the populations located on the margins of the Rio Grande and Rio das Mortes, respectively, demonstrating the high genetic diversity in the studied populations. Nei’s genetic diversity (He) was 0.341 for the Rio Grande population and 0.357 for the Rio das Mortes population. These results were not significantly different between populations and suggest a large proportion of heterozygote individuals within both populations. AMOVA showed that 70.42% of the genetic variability is found within populations and 29.58% is found among populations (ФST=0.2958). The analysis of kinship coefficients detected the existence of family structures in both populations. Average kinship coefficients between neighboring individuals were 0.053 (P<0.001) in Rio das Mortes and 0.040 (P<0.001) in Rio Grande. This could be due to restricted pollen and seed dispersal and the history of anthropogenic disturbance in the area. These factors are likely to contribute to the relatedness observed among these genotypes.

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How diverse can rare species be on the margins of genera distribution?

AoB Plants ◽

10.1093/aobpla/plz037 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Alice Backes ◽

Geraldo Mäder ◽

Caroline Turchetto ◽

Ana Lúcia Segatto ◽

Jeferson N Fregonezi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Population Structure ◽

Genetic Variation ◽

Genetic Variability ◽

Habitat Loss ◽

Evolutionary History ◽

Founder Effects ◽

Geographical Isolation ◽

Genetic Diversity And Structure ◽

Genetic Patterns

Abstract Different genetic patterns have been demonstrated for narrowly distributed taxa, many of them linking rarity to evolutionary history. Quite a few species in young genera are endemics and have several populations that present low variability, sometimes attributed to geographical isolation or dispersion processes. Assessing the genetic diversity and structure of such species may be important for protecting them and understanding their diversification history. In this study, we used microsatellite markers and plastid sequences to characterize the levels of genetic variation and population structure of two endemic and restricted species that grow in isolated areas on the margin of the distribution of their respective genera. Plastid and nuclear diversities were very low and weakly structured in their populations. Evolutionary scenarios for both species are compatible with open-field expansions during the Pleistocene interglacial periods and genetic variability supports founder effects to explain diversification. At present, both species are suffering from habitat loss and changes in the environment can lead these species towards extinction.

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Genetic diversity and structure of natural populations of Plathymenia reticulata (Mimosoideae), a tropical tree from the Brazilian Cerrado

Molecular Ecology ◽

10.1046/j.1365-294x.2001.01264.x ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 10 (5) ◽

pp. 1143-1152 ◽

Cited By ~ 57

Author(s):

D. R. Lacerda ◽

M. D. P. Acedo ◽

J. P. Lemos Filho ◽

M. B. Lovato

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Natural Populations ◽

Tropical Tree ◽

Brazilian Cerrado ◽

Genetic Diversity And Structure

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Recent distribution changes affect geographic clines in genetic diversity and structure of Pinus densiflora natural populations in Japan

Forest Ecology and Management ◽

10.1016/j.foreco.2013.05.026 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 304 ◽

pp. 407-416 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Masakazu G. Iwaizumi ◽

Yoshiaki Tsuda ◽

Masato Ohtani ◽

Yoshihiko Tsumura ◽

Makoto Takahashi

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Pinus Densiflora ◽

Natural Populations ◽

Genetic Diversity And Structure

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Population genetics of the freshwater fish Prochilodus magdalenae (Characiformes: Prochilodontidae), using species-specific microsatellite loci

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.10327 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

pp. e10327

Author(s):

Ricardo M. Landínez-García ◽

Juan Carlos Narváez ◽

Edna J. Márquez

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Genetic Structure ◽

Freshwater Fish ◽

Microsatellite Loci ◽

Natural Populations ◽

Genetic Stock ◽

High Genetic Diversity ◽

Genetic Diversity And Structure ◽

Genetic Stocks ◽

Species Specific

Prochilodus magdalenae is a freshwater fish endemic to the Colombian Magdalena-Cauca and Caribbean hydrographic basins. The genetic structure patterns of populations of different members of Prochilodus and the historic restocking of its depleted natural populations suggest that P. magdalenae exhibits genetic stocks that coexist and co-migrate throughout the rivers Magdalena, Cauca, Cesar, Sinú and Atrato. To test this hypothesis and explore the levels of genetic diversity and population demography of 725 samples of P. magdalenae from the studied rivers, we developed a set of 11 species-specific microsatellite loci using next-generation sequencing, bioinformatics, and experimental tests of the levels of diversity of the microsatellite loci. The results evidenced that P. magdalenae exhibits high genetic diversity, significant inbreeding coefficient ranging from 0.162 to 0.202, and signs of erosion of the genetic pool. Additionally, the population genetic structure constitutes a mixture of genetic stocks heterogeneously distributed along the studied rivers, and moreover, a highly divergent genetic stock was detected in Chucurí, Puerto Berrío and Palagua that may result from restocking practices. This study provides molecular tools and a wide framework regarding the genetic diversity and structure of P. magdalenae, which is crucial to complement its baseline information, diagnosis and monitoring of populations, and to support the implementation of adequate regulation, management, and conservation policies.

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Genetic diversity and structure of the narrow endemic Seseli farrenyi (Apiaceae): implications for translocation

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.10521 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

pp. e10521

Author(s):

Núria Garcia-Jacas ◽

Jèssica Requena ◽

Sergi Massó ◽

Roser Vilatersana ◽

Cèsar Blanché ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Population Decline ◽

Natural Populations ◽

Ex Situ ◽

Endemic Plant ◽

Genetic Lineages ◽

Narrow Endemic ◽

Management Measures ◽

Genetic Diversity And Structure ◽

Nw Mediterranean

Seseli farrenyi (Apiaceae) is an extremely narrow endemic plant, which is considered as one of the species of most conservation concern in Catalonia (NW Mediterranean Basin). Given the accelerated fragmentation and reduction of population size (of over 90%), the environmental agency of Catalonia is currently preparing a recovery plan that includes reinforcements of the extant populations. The present study is aimed at providing the necessary knowledge to carry out genetically-informed translocations, by using microsatellites as genetic markers. Fourteen microsatellites have been specifically developed for S. farrenyi, of which nine have been used. Besides the extant natural populations, the three ex situ collections that are known to exist of this species have also been studied, as they would be the donor sources for translocation activities. Our main finding is that levels of genetic diversity in the natural populations of S. farrenyi are still high (He = 0.605), most likely as a result of a predominantly outcrossing mating system in combination with the limited time elapsed since the population decline. However, population fragmentation is showing the first genetic signs, as the values of genetic differentiation are relatively high, and two well-differentiated genetic lineages have been found even in such a narrow geographic range. These genetic results provide important information when designing conservation management measures.

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Morphological and Isozyme Variation in Natural Populations of the Genus Medicago L. Prospected in Northern Algeria

Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca ◽

10.15835/nbha4319676 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 43 (1) ◽

pp. 86-95 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Imane MEDOUKALI ◽

Ines BELLIL ◽

Douadi KHELIFI

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Natural Populations ◽

Morphological Characteristics ◽

Genetic Distances ◽

Glutamate Oxaloacetate Transaminase ◽

High Genetic Diversity ◽

Isozyme Markers ◽

Northern Algeria ◽

Isozyme Variability ◽

High Level

As part of the evaluation and enhancement of genetic resources, morphological and isozyme variability within and among 169 accessions, representing 14 species of the genus Medicago L. collected in northern Algeria, was assessed using twelve quantitative traits and two enzymatic systems. Phenotype frequencies were scored in six enzyme zones to determine isozyme variability within and among populations. The data analysis resolved a high level of genetic diversity. Ten morphometric characteristics contributed to the discrimination of the species. The relationship between the collection site environment and phenotypic characteristics was also studied. Esterase (EST) enzyme system was more polymorphic than glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) system. Were scored 2 zones with 10 bands and 21 phenotypes for GOT (glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase) and 4 zones with 22 bands and 71 phenotypes for EST (esterase) Polymorphism index and Jaccardâ€™s genetic distances revealed the existence of a high genetic diversity within and among the studied populations. The annual species M. polymorpha presented an intraspecific polymorphism index of 0.57, which was higher than all other species indices. Clustering of the species based on isozyme markers was in agreement with taxonomic criteria and showed no significant correlation with morphological characteristics. Conservation programs should take into account the level of genetic diversity within and between populations revealed by isozyme markers.

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