Using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA to Assess Genetic Diversity and Structure of NaturalCalophyllum brasiliense(Clusiaceae) Populations in Riparian Forests

Evânia Galvão Mendonça,Anderson Marcos De Souza,Cristiane Aparecida Fioravante Reis,Dulcinéia De Carvalho,Fábio De Almeida Vieira,Regiane Abjaud Estopa

doi:10.1155/2014/305286

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the genetic variability in two natural populations ofCalophyllum brasilienselocated along two different rivers in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, using RAPD molecular markers. Eighty-two polymorphic fragments were amplified using 27 primers. The values obtained for Shannon index (I) were 0.513 and 0.530 for the populations located on the margins of the Rio Grande and Rio das Mortes, respectively, demonstrating the high genetic diversity in the studied populations. Nei’s genetic diversity (He) was 0.341 for the Rio Grande population and 0.357 for the Rio das Mortes population. These results were not significantly different between populations and suggest a large proportion of heterozygote individuals within both populations. AMOVA showed that 70.42% of the genetic variability is found within populations and 29.58% is found among populations (ФST=0.2958). The analysis of kinship coefficients detected the existence of family structures in both populations. Average kinship coefficients between neighboring individuals were 0.053 (P<0.001) in Rio das Mortes and 0.040 (P<0.001) in Rio Grande. This could be due to restricted pollen and seed dispersal and the history of anthropogenic disturbance in the area. These factors are likely to contribute to the relatedness observed among these genotypes.

Highlights

Of all the ecosystems that constitute the Brazilian Semideciduous Forests, riparian forests contribute significantly to the conservation of biodiversity, mainly due to the relationship between ecological corridors and ecosystem functioning [1]
Of the total 27 primers selected, interpretation was possible for only 20 primers, resulting in a total 91 and 92 markers for the Rio Grande and Rio das Mortes populations, respectively (Table 1)
In order to evaluate if the number of amplified polymorphic fragments

Summary

Introduction

Of all the ecosystems that constitute the Brazilian Semideciduous Forests, riparian forests contribute significantly to the conservation of biodiversity, mainly due to the relationship between ecological corridors and ecosystem functioning [1]. Because of their interconnectedness, riparian forests play a central role in biogeographical and evolutionary shifts as they facilitate seed dispersal [2]. In Brazil, even though riparian forests are protected by law in the Forest Code (Law 4.771 of 1965), these environments suffer the consequences of human activity, mainly resulting from fragmentation and degradation.

Objectives

Methods

Conclusion