Diversidade genética e filogeografia de Ceiba pubiflora (A.St.-Hil.) K. Schum. (Malvaceae)

Abstract

The Seasonal Dry Tropical Forests (SDTFs) on limestone outcrops are features peculiar subject to degradation by logging timber and exploitation of limestone for cement production. Some of these forests represent the last remnants of native vegetation cover, operating as islands. Tree species that are established in these remaining needs of information on genetic and ecology aspect. The tree species Ceiba pubiflora (Malvaceae) commonly occurs on limestone outcrops in central region of Brazil. The flowers of this species are pollinated by hummingbirds and seed dispersal anemochoric. The objective of this study was to evaluate the genetic diversity in natural populations of C. pubiflora located in central Brazil, selection of cpDNA primers for historical phylogeographic inferences and indicate areas that may be centers of diversity of species and indicate those that can function as operational units for conservation. ISSR and cpDNA markers were used to estimate the levels of genetic diversity and historical phylogeographic inferences in natural populations of C. publiflora sampled in the area of Caatinga, Cerrado and Atlantic domain. The species had high genetic diversity, with most occurring genetic variability within populations. The basins of the Parana River (Goiás) and the Sao Francisco River in Arboreal Caatinga (north of Minas Gerais and Bahia) retain greater diversity of haplotypes, and priority for conservation. Operating Units can be created (1) in the southern region of Minas Gerais, (2) in the central region of Minas Gerais (3) in the north of Minas Gerais and southern Bahia and (4) in the Central Plateau in Goiás. The results support the Pleistocene Arc hypothesis.