Open AccessHigh genetic variability in Neotropical myophilous orchids
Author(s) -
AZEVEDO MARIA TERESA A.,
BORBA EDUARDO L.,
SEMIR JOÃO,
SOLFERINI VERA N.
Publication year - 2007
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/j.1095-8339.2007.00589.x
Subject(s) - biology , biological dispersal , genetic divergence , population , genetic variability , orchidaceae , genetic structure , ecology , genetic variation , zoology , evolutionary biology , genetic diversity , genotype , genetics , demography , sociology , gene
The patterns of genetic variability of seven Bulbophyllum Thouars species were investigated using 14 enzymatic loci, and compared with those of other Neotropical myophilous orchid species. The genetic variability estimated was very high ( H e = 0.39–0.61, P = 86–100%, A = 2.6–3.8), despite the small population sizes, which may be explained by the vegetative reproduction. Of the three species with multiple populations, only B. epiphytum showed moderate values of genetic structuring. Environmental characteristics and seed dispersal mechanisms are important in understanding the differences in the population structure observed. Almost all pairs of species showed low genetic similarity, indicating a long period of divergence. Our results suggest that B. adiamantinum and B. insectiferum , species currently classified in different sections of the genus, are more closely related than previously thought. © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 153 , 33–40.