Genetic conectivity of the tree Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. in small forest fragments in Sorocaba - SP, Brazil

• Grant number: 12/01274-4
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: July 01, 2012 - September 30, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology - Applied Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Karina Martins
• Grantee: Karina Martins
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Humanas e Biológicas (CCHB). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). Sorocaba , SP, Brazil
• Associated grant(s): 13/50119-4 - Ecological and genetic processes that affect Copaifera langsdorffii remnant populations in the Atlantic Forest, AP.R

Abstract

Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. (Fabaceae, Caesalpinioideae) is a tropical tree species widely distributed among the forests of Brazil. In the State of São Paulo most populations are fragmented. The flowers are pollinated by bees and the number of trees that flower in each reproductive season is variable. Recent studies have shown that pollen dispersal distance is spatially limited in isolated populations, but an evaluation of gene flow via pollen in a set of local populations is lacking. We propose a pioneer study to evaluate the contemporary gene flow through pollen between fragmented populations of this species within an area of 2km radius. We propose testing the hypotheses that there is connectivity among the closest fragments, i.e., long distance pollen flow is limited. To respond to these hypotheses, we will employ both observational and controlled experiments in forest fragments in Sorocaba region, Brazil, using a combination of standard ecological methods (phenological data, recrutiment, and diametric distributions) as well as molecular biology methods (to obtain microsatellite markers). Another innovative aspect of this study is the record of the trees that flowered on the year previous to the seed collection for pollen flow analysis, allowing an accurate definition of the trees that might be the pollen donors in gene flow analysis. Carrying out these short term objectives will facilitate realization of the longer term objectives of complete understanding of the population ecological and genetic process affected by forest fragmentation. We aim to plan management strategies to ensure connectivity among fragments and enhance long term genetic conservation. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

MARTINS, KARINA; KIMURA, RENATO KENJI; FRANCISCONI, ANA FLAVIA; GEZAN, SALVADOR; KAINER, KAREN; CHRISTIANINI, ALEXANDER V.. The role of very small fragments in conserving genetic diversity of a common tree in a hyper fragmented Brazilian Atlantic forest landscape. CONSERVATION GENETICS, v. 17, n. 3, p. 509-520, JUN 2016. (13/50119-4, 12/20363-8, 12/01274-4)