Identifying genetic hotspots by mapping molecular diversity of widespread trees: when commonness matters

SOUTO C. P.; MATHIASEN P.; ACOSTA M. C.; QUIROGA M. P.; VIDAL RUSSELL R.; ECHEVARRÍA C.; PREMOLI A. C.

Punta Arenas

Congreso; VIII Southern Connection Congress; 2016

Southern Connection

Conservationplanning requires setting priorities at the same spatial scale at whichdecision-making processes are undertaken considering all levels ofbiodiversity, but current methods for identifying biodiversity hotspots ignoreits genetic component. We developed a fine-scale approach based on the definitionof genetic hotspots, which have high genetic diversity and unique variants thatrepresent their evolutionary potential and evolutionary novelties. Ourhypothesis is that wide-ranging taxa with similar ecological tolerances, yet ofphylogenetically independent lineages, have been and currently are shaped byecological and evolutionary forces that result in geographically concordantgenetic patterns. We mapped previously published  genetic diversity and unique variants ofbiparentally inherited markers and chloroplast sequences for nine species from360 populations of the four woody dominant families of the austral temperateforest, an area considered a biodiversity hotspot. Spatial distributionpatterns for genetic polymorphisms differed among taxa according to theirecological tolerances. Eight genetic hotspots were detected; and we recommendconservation actions for some in the southern Coastal Range in Chile. Existingspatially explicit genetic data from multiple populations and species can helpidentify biodiversity hotspots and guide conservation actions to establishscience-based protected areas that will preserve the evolutionary potential ofkey habitats and species.