Definition of priority areas for brazil nut conservation based on the geographic distribution of genomic variation

• Grant number: 19/25968-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): March 01, 2020
• Effective date (End): February 28, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Forestry Resources and Forestry Engineering - Nature Conservation
• Principal Investigator: Karina Martins
• Grantee: Gabriel de Freitas Pereira
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Humanas e Biológicas (CCHB). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). Sorocaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Studies in the area of population ecology and spatial distribution of genetic diversity are helpful to the definition of priority areas for conservation. The major challenge is to encompass a significant amount of data that, ultimately, may provide definitive conclusions for interpretation of unique and species-specific genetic diversity in most of their occurrence locations. The lack of data related to the distribution of genetic diversity hinders the successful determination of priority sites for conservation. The Brazil nut tree (Bertholletia excelsa) is a species of extreme importance to traditional communities that hold or collect seeds for commercialization. For these communities. Brazil nut market is one of the main economic activities in relation to profitability. However, this species is threatened with extinction due to advances in agricultural frontiers. The objective of this study is to define as priority areas for the conservation of Brazil nut tree, using genomewide genetic markers to genotype 186 individuals distributed in 30 locations throughout seven Brazilian states. The percentage of polymorphic sites, the number of locally common alleles, and expected heterozygosity will be estimated, as well as measures of genetic structure. We will also evaluate the climatic variation across the sampling area, and try to associate genetic and climatic data to identify priority areas for conservation. (AU)