Hierarchical analysis of molecular variance in natural populations of Acacia visco (Leguminosae, Mimosoideae)

POMETTI C.L.; VILARDI J.C.; SAIDMAN B.O.

Iguazú

Congreso; 4to. Congreso Forestal Argentino y Latinoamericano; 2013

The genus Acacia includes more than 1450 species of pantropical distribution. In Argentina the genus is represented by 21 species, distributed mainly in northern and central regions. A. visco is a native South American tree species that has been extensively used for ornamental purposes and in carpentry, bodywork and parquet due to the hardness and durability of its wood. With the aim of learning more about the genetic variability of this species, we used AFLP markers to study 6 populations of A. visco involving the main distribution area of this species in Argentina. Three primer combinations were chosen for this analysis. A total of 491 variable bands were detected in 403 individuals. Population structure was analyzed using the program Geno. The PhiST= 0.373 indicated highly significant genetic structure. The AMOVA indicated that genetic diversity among populations represented 20.8% of total variance, among families within populations represented 16.4% and the 62.7% of the total variation occurred within populations. All components of variation were highly significant (P < 0.001). The results obtained here have implications on conservation strategies, tree breeding and reforestation. Since most part of variability is found within populations, a strategy for ex situ conservation should emphasize sampling more populations with a representative number of individuals per site to insure keeping most part of genetic variation.