Abstract Detail

Population Genetics

Rodiguez, Rosa [1], Jestrow, Brett [2], Clase , Teodoro [3], Jimenez, Francisco [3], Meerow, Alan [5], Santiago, Eugenio Valentin [6], Sustache, Jose [7], Griffith, Patrick  [8], Francisco-Ortega, Javier [9].

Genetic structure, diversity, and differentiation of Pseudophoenix (Arecaceae) in Hispaniola.

The Caribbean Island Biodiversity Hotspot is considered as one of the hotspots with the highest probability for extinction of endemic plants and vertebrates due to the negative impact of deforestation. Pseudophoenix is confined to the Caribbean Basin and its center of diversity is Hispaniola (Haiti and Dominican Republic). Three species (P. ekmanii, P. lediniana, and P. vinifera) are restricted to this island. Two of them (P. ekmanii and P. lediniana) are Critically Endangered (sensu IUCN). Pseudophoenix is the only member of the subfamily Ceroxyloideae present in the Caribbean and the only genus in the tribu Cyclospatheae. In this study we aimed to investigate the genetic diversity and structure of Pseudophoenix using ten previously designed microsatellites loci. Eighteen populations and 454 individuals across all species of Pseudophoenix were included in this study. Results showed homozygote excess and significantly high inbreeding coefficients in all populations across all polymorphic loci. The overall Dest value (0.75) indicated high differentiation among populations. The highest levels of genetic differentiation were found among populations from different species. The highest number of migrants per generation was detected among geographically close co-specific populations. AMOVA analysis showed that most of the variation (54%) is found within population. Bayesian clustering methods identified 11 groups. Overall, these groups were consistence with species delimitation. Four clusters were identified in the Neighbor Joining network; they generally corresponded with the four taxa currently defined within Pseudophoenix. We included the only known population of an undescribed morph from Dominican Republic that has been suggested to represent a new taxon. The Neighbor Joining network and the Principal Coordinate Analyses suggested that this morph belonged to P. sargentii. However, Bayesian clustering results showed this variant as a distinct group. Our study provided insights pertinent to conservation genetics of this genus.

1 - Florida International University, Biology, 11200 SW 8th St, Miami, FL, 33174, USA
2 - Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Road , Coral Gables, FL, 33156, USA
3 - Jardin Botanico Nacional de Santo Domingo, Botanica, Republica de Colombia Ave with Los Proceres St., Santo Domingo, DN, Dominican Republic
4 - Jardin Botanico Nacional de Santo Domingo, Botanica, Republica de Colombia Ave with Los Proceres St., Santo Domingo, DN, Dominican Republic
5 - United States Department of Agriculture, Subtropical Horticulture Research , 13601 Old Cutler Road, Miami, FL, 33158-0000, USA
6 - Universidad de Puerto Rico – Río Piedras, Departamento de Biología, Avenida Barbosa y Avenida Juan Ponce De León, Rio Piedra, San Juan, 00931, Puerto Rico
7 - Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales, Carr 8839, San Juan, San Juan, 00927, Puerto Rico
8 - Montgomery Botanical Center, 11901 Old Cutler Rd, Miami, FL, 33156, United States
9 - Florida International University, OE 167 - University Park Campus, Miami, FL, 33199, USA

Keywords:
population genetics
Arecaceae
Pseudophoenix
systematics
Caribbean.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Topics
Session: 6
Location: Pines South/Boise Centre
Date: Monday, July 28th, 2014
Time: 9:00 AM
Number: 6003
Abstract ID:322
Candidate for Awards:Margaret Menzel Award