Cavallari et al. 2006 (Article) Encholirium

Genetic variation in three endangered species of Encholirium (Bromeliaceae) from Cadeia do Espinhac¸ o, Brazil, detected using RAPD markers

Author(s):—M. Mattos Cavallari, R. Campostrini Forzza, E.A. Veasey, M. Imaculada Zucchi & G.C.X. Oliveira

Publication:—Biodiversity and conservation 15: 4357–4373. (2006)

Abstract:—Encholirium is a Brazilian genus of Bromeliaceae that occurs exclusively in rocky landscapes. This work aimed to generate basic information for the conservation of three Encholirium species that are endemic to the rocky mountains of Cadeia do Espinhaço, employing population genetic analyses. E. pedicellatum and E. biflorum have only one very small population each, both occurring in unprotected, private land sites, being critically endangered. E. subsecundum is more widespread, and some of its populations dwell in protected areas. Five Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers generated approximately 60 polymorphic bands for each species. This technique demonstrated the presence of a single RAPD profile for every individual sampled (except for one clone found in E. biflorum). High levels of genetic variability were not expected, due to the clonal habit of the plants and small size of the populations. Populations of E. biflorum and E. pedicellatum presented, respectively, 16.06% (Ust = 0.16, p

Keywords:—Bromeliaceae, Conservation biology, Encholirium, Population genetic structure, RAPD, Rare plants