Genetic diversity of four populations of Qualea grandiflora Mart. in fragments of the Brazilian Cerrado

Author(s)

Orth Ritter Antiqueira, Lia Maris ^[1] ; Kageyama, Paulo Yoshio ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, ESALQ, Dept Genet, BR-13418900 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, ESALQ, Dept Ciencias Florestais, BR-13418900 Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Genetica; v. 142, n. 1, p. 11-21, FEB 2014.
• Web of Science Citations: 2

Abstract

We analyzed the genetic structure and diversity of Qualea grandiflora Mart., the most abundant woody species in the Brazilian Cerrado. Eight microsatellite loci were used to analyze samples from four populations subjected to different types of anthropic pressure, distributed throughout the state of So Paulo in the regions of Assis, Brotas, Itirapina and Pedregulho. Results indicated a mean number of 12 alleles per locus, but only six effective alleles. Alleles private to particular populations and rare alleles were also detected. An excess of homozygotes and moderate levels of inbreeding were observed. No clones were identified. All populations departed from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (p < 0.05). Spatial structure was observed in the distribution of specimens in distance classes ranging from 30 to 40 km and three genetic clusters were identified, with genotypes in the Pedregulho population differing from the others by up to 90 %. The influence of the Wahlund effect on the studied populations lies between 8.5 and 53.3 %. Estimates of effective population size were low (< 10), and the minimum viable area for conservation in the short-, medium- and long-term was estimated to be between 4 and 184 ha. Gene flow was high enough to counter the effects of genetic drift. The genetic diversity and divergence between the studied populations indicated that the Pedregulho population should be considered an Evolutionary Significant Unit and a Management Unit. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 07/06648-1 - Genetics and reproductive system of populations of native species from the cerrado biome
• Grantee: Paulo Yoshio Kageyama
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 08/06834-2 - Genetic diversity of Qualea grandiflora in natural populations of cerrado in the State of São Paulo
• Grantee: Lia Maris Orth Ritter Antiqueira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate