Genetic diversity in populations of Maytenus dasyclada (Celastraceae) in forest reserves and unprotected Araucaria forest remnants

Manuel Castilhos Reichmann,Rogério Luis Cansian,Tanise Luisa Sausen,Camila Ângela Zanella,Altemir José Mossi,Albanin Aparecida Mielniczki-Pereira,Amito José Teixeira,Cláudio Valério Júnior,Jean Carlos Budke,Natalia Paroul,Ana Claudia Piovezan Borges

doi:10.1590/0102-33062016abb0428

Abstract

ABSTRACT Understanding the genetic structure and diversity of plants is fundamental to their conservation and permits their sustainable use by local communities. The genus Maytenus (Celastraceae) is composed of plants possessing pharmacological and antioxidant properties. However, the genetic and economic properties of the species M. dasyclada, a typical species of Araucaria forests in Brazil and Uruguay, have been little studied. In this work, the genetic structure and diversity of natural populations of M. dasyclada located in unprotected and preserved forest remnants were investigated using RAPD and isozymes markers. The results demonstrated that in areas of preservation, populations of M. dasyclada possess a relatively high degree of polymorphism and high values for Na, Ne, Shannon index, He and Ho, indicating high genetic variability. Moreover, these protected populations are very close to each other and potentially experience significant gene flow. The results presented here highlight the relevance of preservation areas for the conservation of M. dasyclada, and that populations inhabiting these areas could serve as a genetic source for the recovery of populations in regions where genetic diversity has been lost.

Highlights

Many tropical countries, including Brazil, have employed extractive exploration with native species, sometimes resulting in their disappearance from natural ecosystems
Maytenus dasyclada in particular is typical species of Araucaria forest that occurs only in Brazil and Uruguay (Carvalho-Okano & Leitão-Filho 2004), for which knowledge is lacking about its genetic properties and potential economic value
The structure and genetic diversity of M. dasyclada was investigated in seven natural populations of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina (Brazil), using RAPD and isozymes markers

Summary

Introduction

Many tropical countries, including Brazil, have employed extractive exploration with native species, sometimes resulting in their disappearance from natural ecosystems Extinction of these species even at a local scale results in loss of important genetic information and, reduced capacity for ecosystem recuperation. Knowledge of the genetic structure and diversity of plants is fundamental for their conservation and permits their use by local communities (Nass et al 2012; Asma et al 2016). In these sense, investigations of genetics in native plants with ecological and economical potential can inform both extractive activities and efficient forest management (Piotti et al 2013). Molecular or biochemical genetic markers are widely used in studies of genetic

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Conclusion