Patrones espaciales de diversidad genética de Deschampsia antarctica, la única gramínea nativa de la Antártida

FASANELLA M. & A.C. PREMOLI; J. CHIAPELLA

Congreso; V Jornadas y II Congreso Argentino de Ecología de Paisajes; 2015

Antarctica is considered a center of origin for a large number of plant species which dates back to when it was part of Gondwana. We used DNA sequences to reconstruct the potential effects of historical events on the genetic structure of Deschampsia antarctica in its two main distribution areas, Patagonia and the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic islands. We analyzed leaf tissue collected from 11 sites (6 from Patagonia and 5 from Antarctica) using three DNA markers (nuclear ITS and two regions of the chloroplast). We found eight nuclear haplotypes and five of the chloroplast, with only one and two shared between Patagonia and Antarctica, respectively. The greatest variability was present in Patagonia. The results highlight the relevance of South American populations in the evolution of D. antarctica and as a source of genetic diversity to be considered in the conservation of its gene pool.