Genetic diversity and functional traits variability of Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn. in the tropical dry forests of Colombia

Abstract

Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn is a species typical of the tropical dry forest (TDF) of Colombia. This ecosystem is currently highly fragmented, which compromises its perpetuation and the goods and services it offers to the community. The lack of primary information regarding the genetic and ecological levels of the species inhabiting the TDF makes it difficult to establish plans for managing and recovering its fragments. This work had the objective of determining the genetic diversity and the variability of functional traits of C. pentandra by means of sites representative of the TDF of Colombia. Microsatellite markers (SSR‟s) were used to obtain the genetic diversity and four functional traits for variability analyses. The populations presented high genetic diversity, with average of He 0.85. The highest allelic richness was found for La Pintada y Sogamoso populations, being priority sites for in situ conservation and potential source of seeds for future reforestation activities. The coefficient of inbreeding between populations was low (-0.024; -0.28). The analyses for variation on functional traits indicated high variability for specific leaf area (SLA), dry matter content (DMC) and wood density of the stem (WD). In the evaluation of variance components, this variability was mainly represented within the populations and individuals, and not between populations or bioregions. In general, C. pentandra presented no populations with loss of genetic diversity or inbreeding depression processes, which allows wide adaptation capacity, also demonstrated by the highly variable behavior of the functional traits. The results indicate that the populations of this species is in a good state of genetic conservation, allowing its use for restauration processes of the TDF of Colombia.