Genetic diversity and ecological niche modelling of the restricted Recordia reitzii (Verbenaceae) from southern Brazilian Atlantic forest |
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Authors: | Verônica A Thode Gustavo A Silva‐Arias Caroline Turchetto Ana Lúcia A Segatto Geraldo Mäder Sandro L Bonatto Loreta B de Freitas |
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Institution: | 1. Laboratory of Molecular Evolution, Department of Genetics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, , Porto Alegre, Brazil;2. Programa de Pós‐Gradua??o em Botanica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, , Porto Alegre, Brazil;3. Genomic and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, , 90610‐001 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil |
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Abstract: | Genetic diversity analyses, coupled with ecological niche modelling (ENM) of species with a restricted distribution, may provide valuable information for understanding diversification patterns in endangered areas. We analyzed the genetic diversity of Recordia reitzii, a tree restricted to the threatened and highly fragmented Brazilian Atlantic forest, using three intergenic cpDNA spacers and ten microsatellite (SSR) loci. To assess the historical processes that may have influenced the distribution of extant R. reitzii populations, the current potential distributions of R. reitzii and Recordia boliviana, a closely related species, were modelled and projected onto the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and Last Interglacial (LIG) periods. Niche divergence was quantified between these two. The cpDNA and SSR data showed a north–south pattern of the diversity distribution and structured populations, suggesting that gene flow is probably limited. According to our data, R. reitzii exhibits low genetic diversity, which may be a result of a founder or distribution‐reduction effect, narrow distribution or small population size. The ecological niche models showed a wider palaeodistribution during the LIG and a retraction during the LGM for both species. Tests of niche divergence and conservatism indicated that bioclimatic factors might have influenced the diversification of these Recordia species. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2014, 176 , 332–348. |
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Keywords: | cpDNA microsatellite niche conservatism niche divergence |
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