Biodiversity hotspots for conservation of Hancornia speciosa Gomes

Abstract

Hancornia speciosa is one target species for genetic diversity ethnobotanical and medicinal applications within the Brazilian Northeast Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot. However, information on the genetic variability of populations associated with modeling the potential distribution in the state of Sergipe has not yet been performed. Therefore, the objective of this study was to predict the potential occurrence of H. speciosa in areas in which fruits are intensively used in an extractive practice. The maximum entropy method was used to detect the distribution patterns of H. speciosa in variable environments within the referred hotspot. The diversity of four natural populations, situated in areas of extractivism, was determined by ISSR molecular markers. The species appears to occur more densely in the coastal regions of the state of Sergipe. However, data prediction occurrence indicates that the areas of natural presence have been reduced due to anthropic actions.