Sotero et al. 2015 (Conference Paper) Colonization, Brazil, Dyckia

Genetic variability among populations of the Dyckia pernambucana complex from the Borborema Plateau, Pernambuco, Brazil

Author(s):—D. Sotero, K. Weising, F. Krapp, T. Wöhrmann, G. Zizka, M. das Wanderley Graças & A.M. Benko-Iseppon 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 the Atlantic Rainforest located north of the São Francisco River, the humid enclaves (or continental islands),called ?Brejos de Altitude?, play a significant role in the diversity dynamics of the local Flora and Fauna, due to their exclusive conditions of humidity and microclimates. The endangered species Dyckia pernambucana L.B.Smith and D. limae L.B.Smith (Pitcairnioideae, Bromeliaceae) are characterized by their narrow endemicoccurrence in such ?Brejos de Altitudes? of the Borborema Plateau (Pernambuco, Brazil). Furthermore, according to previous morphological inferences, the species status of these taxa remains unclear. In order to understand the patterns of gene flow and genetic variability among populations, both microsatellite loci (nuclear and plastid) and AFLP markers were employed in 50 individuals, distributed in five populations of Pernambuco Group (D. limae and D. pernambucana), as well as 37 individuals of the closest species (D. dissitiflora), with a total of 87 individuals. The levels of diversity found in the present work were high, despitethe possible influence of genetic drift and selfing rates. Accordingly, significant inbreeding coefficient values were observed with the three markers used, indicating that the populations are notably structured. According to the Bayesian clustering as well as phenetic analysis, D. limae could not undoubtedly be distinguished from
the remaining populations of Pernambuco state (D. pernambucana populations). However, the associations
found here were consistent with the historical patterns of colonization and fragmentation of the Atlantic
Rainforest located north of the São Francisco River.

Keywords:—Gene Flow; Molecular Markers; Pitcairnioideae.