Abstract
Allozyme and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) techniques have been compared for their usefulness for genetic and taxonomic studies in Prosopis glandulosa and P. velutina populations. Isozymes and RAPDs yielded similarly high estimates of genetic variability. Genetic structure and differentiation were analyzed through non-hierarchical Wright's F DT. For all populations considered, both markers produced low gene flow (Nm < 1) estimates. When only P. glandulosa populations were analyzed, isozyme data yielded higher gene flow estimates (Nm > 1), in agreement with that expected for conspecific populations. However, in RAPD data the expected reduction in F DT and the increase in Nm were not observed. Correlation between F DT and geographical distance matrices (Mantel test) for all populations was significant (P = 0.02) when based on isozymes, but not so (P = 0.33) when based on RAPDs. No significant associations among genetic and geographical or climatic variables were observed. Two isoenzyme systems (GOT and PRX) enabled us to distinguish between P. glandulosa and P. velutina, but no diagnostic band for recognition of populations or species studied here were detected by RAPD. However, RAPD markers showed higher values for genetic differentiation among conspecific populations of P. glandulosa and a lower coefficient of variation than those obtained from isozymes.
Highlights
The genus Prosopis occurs worldwide in arid and semiarid regions and includes about 44 species grouped in 5 sections and 8 series (Burkart, 1976)
The four arbitrary primers chosen for the present analysis revealed 46 bands that were consistently and unambiguously scorable in the five populations studied
These bands were treated as genetic loci
Summary
The genus Prosopis occurs worldwide in arid and semiarid regions and includes about 44 species grouped in 5 sections and 8 series (Burkart, 1976). Many species of this genus, those belonging to the Algarobia Section, have economic and ecological potential, often being major components of native North and South America ecosystems wherein they offer shade, firewood, food, and forage for wildlife and livestock (Leakey and Last, 1980; Habit et al, 1981; Joshi and Nimbkar, 1991). It decreases rangeland productivity through competition and by increasing soil erosion
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