Microsatellites reveal a high genetic differentiation among native Geoffroea decorticans populations in Chilean Atacama Desert
Background and aims: The extreme conditions in the Chilean Atacama Desert are a major hurdle for the survival of any organism. Despite this, several legume populations of Geoffroea decorticans have thrived within this harsh, hostile environment for centuries. Here, we sought to determine th...
Guardado en:
| Autores principales: | , , |
|---|---|
| Formato: | Artículo revista |
| Lenguaje: | Inglés Español |
| Publicado: |
Sociedad Argentina de Botánica
2019
|
| Materias: | |
| Acceso en línea: | https://revistas.unc.edu.ar/index.php/BSAB/article/view/24367 |
| Aporte de: |
| Sumario: | Background and aims: The extreme conditions in the Chilean Atacama Desert are a major hurdle for the survival of any organism. Despite this, several legume populations of Geoffroea decorticans have thrived within this harsh, hostile environment for centuries. Here, we sought to determine thegenetic variability in G. decorticans populations, given its wide distribution across the Atacama Desert, the driest and most ancient desert on Earth. The specific aims of the present study were to determinate the level of genetic diversity and assess genetic structure in eight populations of G.decorticans from Chilean Atacama Desert.M&M: Eighty-four G. decorticans individuals were selected for sampling across eight localities in Northern Chile. Five microsatellites were used to analyze genetic diversity, differentiation among populations, population structure and gene flow.Results: The majority of the analyzed populations from the Atacama Desert displayed a high genetic diversity, with the exception of PACH. G. decorticans (chañar) populations also displayed ahigh genetic differentiation and a moderate gene flow given by the natural barrier imposed by the Atacama Desert. The eight chañar populations studied were separated in groups from Northern and Southern regions.
Conclusions: Microsatellites have provided valuable baseline information to understand the genetic diversity and structure of G. decorticans populations at the Atacama Desert. |
|---|