Fine-scale spatial genetic structure and gene flow in Acrocomia aculeata (Arecaceae): Analysis in an overlapping generation

segunda-feira, julho 29, 2019

Authors: Maircon Rasley Gonçalves Araújo; Afrânio Farias de Melo Júnior; Elytania Veiga Menezes; Murilo Malveira Brandão; Leide Gonçalves Cota; Dario Alves de Oliveira; Vanessa de Andrade Royo; Fábio Almeida Vieira

Abstract: This study aimed to assess the fine-scale spatial genetic structure (SGS) and gene flow among the developmental stages of Acrocomia aculeata (Arecaceae) in a natural population of the Brazilian savannah. The study was conducted in a 4.5 ha area using a population census composed of 72 adult and 144 juvenile plants. Six-hundred embryo samples were analyzed to investigate the gene flow of plant progenies. All individuals were genotyped using seven microsatellite loci.

The microsatellite loci generated 10.1 alleles on average. Observed heterozygosity (Ho) was lower than expected heterozygosity (He) in all stages of development. The mean Ho and He values were 0.496 and 0.688, respectively. The A. aculeata population presented high genetic diversity despite its significant positive fixation index (0.279, p = 0.001). Significant SGS was observed for adults at the 2-m distance class and for juveniles at the 2 and 4-m distance classes. Average pollen flow distance was 105 m. High multilocus outcrossing rate was observed (1.2), indicating that the species is preferentially allogamous with evidence of self-incompatibility mechanisms.

The A. aculeata population presents high potential for in situ and ex situ genetic conservation and germplasm collection.

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Page: Science Direct