Genetic diversity of Bertholletia excelsa, an Amazonian species of wide distribution

Abstract

Background Amazonian upland forests are expansive and can comprise large continuous tracts. There have been several studies on the population genetic structure of species in this kind of forest, but there are few studies that aim to understand genetic structure throughout the Amazon [1]. The Brazil-nut tree, Bertholletia excelsa, is a monotypic genus, endemic to upland forests and distributed along almost the entire expanse of the Amazon [2-5]. Genetic diversity distribution through Amazon forest is an understudied issue, specially in plants. Quantifying and understanding population genetic structure, associated to gene flow and mating system studies are recognized as important tools for the development of strategies for conservation and management. Such information can also be helpful in identifying effects of habitat fragmentation [6,7]. This study aimed to evaluate genetic structure of B. excelsa populations in the Amazon and to verify if the structuring is influenced by distance between them.