Abstract
Primer pairs that access microsatellite loci, initially constructed through the genome of Passiflora edulis Sims flavicarpa and P. alata, were tested concerning their ability to access microsatellite loci in ‘somnus’ passion fruit tree (P. setacea) individuals. Seven out of the thirty one primer pairs tested were able to access DNA polymorphism in the genome of this wild Passiflora species, by evaluating six natural populations, located in a transition area between the biomes Caatinga and Cerrado, in the state of Bahia, Brazil. The number of alleles/loci was small, oscillating from 1 to 4. The average heterozygosity observed per locus in all populations ranged from 0.13 to 0.40. There was transference of heterologous microsatellite primer pairs from the Passiflora genus to ‘somnus’ passion fruit tree, constituting a new set of primers that access random co-dominant locus in this species, useful for conservationist purposes and pre-improvement of ‘somnus’ passion fruit tree.
Highlights
Various plant habitats have been destroyed due to increased human activity, such as the excessive exploitation of natural resources, large-scale construction projects, and environmental pollution
Faced with the need to have co-dominant primer pairs to provide some support to conservation work related to “somnus” passion fruit tree germoplasm and the destination of superior genotypes to preimprovement of this species, this study aimed to address the transferability of microsatellite primer pairs to this species from primer sets previously developed for commercial Passilora species
Leaf tissue was stored in Kraft paper bags and transported on ice in a polystyrene box for better conservation, until it was kept stored at -20°C in the Molecular Markers Laboratory of the State University of Santa Cruz (UESC), in the state of Bahia, Brazil; 400 mg of young leaves were used for extracting total genomic DNA
Summary
Various plant habitats have been destroyed due to increased human activity, such as the excessive exploitation of natural resources, large-scale construction projects, and environmental pollution. Habitat destruction by fragmentation and reduction of naturally occurring areas has turned large populations into small and isolated populations. A reduced population size can lead to decreased genetic variability within it, with a consequent reduction in the potential for evolution (YOUNG et al, 1996; FRANKHAM et al, 2002). Smaller, isolated populations can lose their genetic diversity due to accelerated endogamy and genetic oscillation, individual reproductive viability and ability within such populations can be compromised, their ability to adapt to changes can be decreased as well, leading these populations to extinction (JEONG et al, 2010). Maintaining genetic variability is paramount to the species’ survival, especially wild Passiflora species, which have not been given the needed attention. ‘Somnus’ passion fruit tree – P. setacea (Passiloraceae), for instance, is a Brazilian native species known for its resilience to pathogens and the much appreciated sweetness and lavor of its fruit (BRAGA et al, 2006)
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