Bases for genetic conservation of Freziera atlantica, an endangered wood species and endemic to the Atlantic Forest hotspot

Abstract

Key Message:

Freziera atlantica is an endangered species. It was found that intrapopulation genetic diversity is high, possibly maintained by the seed bank, but human disturbances threaten the population. Abstract:

In the Anthropocene, one of the major concerns worldwide is related to landscape disturbances, causing changes in the planet’s climate and declining genetic diversity of plant populations. Establishing concrete plans for genetic conservation of species is a great challenge, with knowledge of their genetic variations as a key element. In this study, we evaluated the diversity and genetic structure of an isolated population of the endangered species F. atlantica, focused on the purpose of contributing to the conservation of tree plants and the future mediation identification of tree matrixes for seed collection. Total genomic DNA from 44 adult individuals was extracted and purified. Thus, diversity, similarity and population genetic structure were measured from ISSR genotyping. Polymorphisms between the analyzed individuals were identified in the electrophoretic analysis by the presence or absence of bands. The results indicate low polymorphism among the F. atlantica individuals (46.6%) studied, possibly as a response to population isolation and aggregate distribution at the site. However, genetic diversity can be considered high and is possibly maintained by a self-incompatibility mechanism as a response to dioecy. Our results are a first approach for the structuring and genetic diversity in the neotropical Freziera genus and the first steps to acquire knowledge of biological aspects and proposition of in situ and ex situ conservation strategies for F. atlantica.