Genetic Structure of Tree and Shrubby Species Among Anthropogenic Edges, Natural Edges, and Interior of an Atlantic Forest Fragment

Author(s)

Ramos, Flavio Nunes ^[1] ; de Lima, Paula Feliciano ^[2] ; Zucchi, Maria Imaculada ^[2] ; Colombo, Carlos Augusto ^[2] ; Solferini, Vera Nisaka ^[3]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Alfenas, Dept Ciencias Biol & Terra, BR-37130000 Alfenas, MG - Brazil

^[2] IAC, Ctr Pesquisa & Desenvolvimento Recursos Genet Veg, BR-13075630 Campinas, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Estadual Campinas, Dept Genet & Evolucao, BR-13083970 Campinas, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: BIOCHEMICAL GENETICS; v. 48, n. 3-4, p. 215-228, APR 2010.
• Web of Science Citations: 6

Abstract

Two species, Psychotria tenuinervis (shrub, Rubiaceae) and Guarea guidonia (tree, Meliaceae), were used as models to compare the genetic structure of tree and shrubby species among natural edges, anthropogenic edges, and a fragment interior. There were significant differences between two genetic markers. For isozymes, P. tenuinervis presented greater heterozygosity (expected and observed) and a higher percentage of polymorphic loci and median number of alleles than G. guidonia. For microsatellites, there was no difference in genetic variability between the species. Only P. tenuinervis, for isozymes, showed differences in genetic variability among the three habitats. There was no genetic structure (F (ST) < 0.05) among habitats in both plant species for both genetic markers. Isozymes showed great endogamy for both plant species, but not microsatellites. The forest fragmentation may have negative effects on both spatial (among edges and interior) and temporal genetic variability. (AU)