Open AccessGenetic structure of the threatened Phaedranassa schizantha (Amaryllidaceae)
Author(s) -
Oleas Nora H.,
Meerow Alan W.,
FranciscoOrtega Javier
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
botanical journal of the linnean society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.872
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1095-8339
pISSN - 0024-4074
DOI - 10.1111/boj.12444
Subject(s) - biology , genetic diversity , threatened species , genetic structure , range (aeronautics) , population , coalescent theory , evolutionary biology , endangered species , genetic variation , microsatellite , population bottleneck , ecology , allele , genetics , demography , phylogenetics , habitat , gene , materials science , sociology , composite material
Phaedranassa schizantha (Amaryllidaceae) is an endangered species endemic to Ecuador and two varieties have been described: P. schizantha var. schizantha and P. schizantha var. ignea . We assessed population genetic structure and demographic patterns in 11 populations across the range of the species using 13 microsatellite loci. Our data show that genetic diversity was generally lower in the southern part of the range and was especially low in populations closest to cities. We found significant population differentiation ( F ST = 0.14, D EST = 0.34) and evidence of a genetic bottleneck. Genetic variation did not show isolation by distance. Instead, results suggest genetic barriers around two main cities. Bayesian analysis identified two genetic groups, neither of which represents either of the two varieties previously recognized. Coalescent analysis indicates a relatively recent colonization pattern between the two genetic groups (< 3000 generations). Conservation efforts need to be taken to facilitate genetic exchange between the groups, especially between locations that seem to be genetically isolated.