Genetic architecture in a sympatric population of Epidendrum secundum and E. xanthinum (Orchidaceae): is hybridization and gene flow occurring between these species?

• Grant number: 10/19617-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2011
• End date: October 31, 2011
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Botany - Plant Taxonomy
• Principal Investigator: Fábio Pinheiro
• Grantee: Flávia Marília Cestari Magalhães
• Host Institution: Instituto de Botânica. Secretaria de Meio Ambiente, Infraestrutura e Logística (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Epidendrum is the largest genus of the Neotropics, showing a great morphological diversity that, in the past years, generated many taxonomic doubts about its generic classification and delimitation of many species. Several groups within the genus displays a so high morphological diversity that are considered species complexes. In Orchidaceae, few efforts have been employed in recognize the processes involved in lineages diversification and in the rise of new species, by the analysis of genetic structure of natural populations. The aim of this work is depict the genetic structure of populations of Epidendrum secundum and E. xanthinum, two species that co-occurs in many sympatric populations. Many specimens with intermediate morphological characters can be seen in natural populations, so hybridization can occur between them. Nuclear and plastid microsatellite will be used to analyze the genetic structure of each species in one sympatric population, to test hypothesis on evolutive processes involved in lineages diversification and rising of new species, like introgression, hybridization and genetic drift, and implications for taxonomy and conservation strategies for them. (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)

PINHEIRO, FABIO; DE MELO E GOUVEIA, TIAGO MANUEL ZANFRA; COZZOLINO, SALVATORE; CAFASSO, DONATA; CARDOSO-GUSTAVSON, POLIANA; SUZUKI, ROGERIO MAMORU; PALMA-SILVA, CLARISSE. Strong but permeable barriers to gene exchange between sister species of Epidendrum. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY, v. 103, n. 8, p. 1472-1482, AUG 2016. (09/15052-0, 10/19617-0, 09/52725-3, 13/02453-2)