Cascante et al. 2012 (Conference Paper) Guzmania

Genetic structure of the epiphytic Bromeliad Guzmania monostachia (Bromeliaceae) in recovering montane forest areas

Author(s):—A. Cascante M., J.H.D. Wolf, J.G.B. Oostermeijer & E.J. Fuchs

Publication:— (2012).

Abstract:—After clear-cutting of forested areas or abandonment of agricultural lands, a frequent pattern in Neotropical areas is the recolonization by plants. Most literature on vascular epiphytes in successional habitats deals with changes in species richness and community composition. From the perspective of genetic structuring, little is known about the establishment pattern of epiphyte populations, which may help to understand the natural process of epiphyte recolonization and contribute to management and restoration strategies of plant genetic diversity. The objective of present study is to evaluate the genetic composition and structure among successional populations of a vascular epiphyte in montane forests. Using microsatellites markers, we examined the genetic structure of six populations of the bromeliad Guzmania monostachia in secondary forests patches in Costa Rica. Within each forest patch, we sampled 18-22 plants per tree from three different host-trees. Populations distributed over different forest patches and irrespective of their successional condition (early vs. late succession) showed a marked deficiency of heterozygote genotypes and high inbreeding levels (FIS = 0.866-0.958). Paired comparisons between populations from different forest patches indicated significant levels of genetic differentiation (FST = 0.007-0.342), not related to the geographical distance between them. An analysis of spatial genetic autocorrelation indicated significant gene flow between groups of plants within the same forest patch and separated