Melo et al. 2015 (Conference Paper) Dyckia, Rocky Outcrops

Phylogeography of Dyckia species (Bromeliaceae) endemic to the Brazilian Cerrado biome: evolutionary implications

Author(s):—C. Melo de Aguilar, C.M. Zanella, G. Paggi, L.D. Hirsch & F. Bered in Benko-Iseppon, A.M.; Alves, M. & Louzada, R. (2015) An overview and abstracts of the First World Congress on Bromeliaceae Evolution. Rodriguésia 66(2): A1-A66.

Publication:— (2015).

Abstract:—In South America the number of phylogeographical studies is scarce when compared with other regions, despite having one of the highest levels of biodiversity on Earth. The genus Dyckia belongs to the subfamilyPitcairnioideae (Bromeliaceae) and its species usually inhabit dry, rocky outcrops with little water supply and high sunlight. The diversity center of Dyckia occurs in montane regions of the central Brazilian Cerrado biome (BCB), which is delimited in the east by the Atlantic Forest and Caatinga, and by Chaco in the west. The BCB is the most diverse savanna in the world, mainly with high levels of endemism and species adapted to stressful environments. However, the original area has been reduced by more than 50% in recent years, making this biome one of the main global hotspots for biodiversity conservation. Here we studied a group of four species with restricted geographical distribution (Dyckia grandidentata, D. pottiorum, D. excelsa and Dyckia sp.), which are endemic to the BCB, and one associated species (D. leptostackya), with a wide distribution. The collection of samples was realized in February of 2014 in Mato do Grosso do Sul Federal state (Brazil), comprising seven localities and eighteen populations, totaling 368 individuals. Aiming to understand the evolutionary history of this group and also contribute to the better understanding of the BCB history, we tested three plastidial sequences (rpL32-trnL, rps16-trnK, trnD-trnT) from populations throughoutthe known distribution of all five species in order to perform a phylogeographical analysis. The preliminary results showed differences in molecular sequences among species. The analyses are in progress and certainly will help us understand the process of speciation of this group in the microhabitats of BCB, and may provide valuable insights into the historical processes underlying diversification in this region.

Keywords:—Phylogeography; Dyckia; Cerrado.