Spatial genetic structure and genetic diversity of a natural population of Ramorinoa girolae in San Juan province (Argentina): An exploratory analysis

NOELIA ROSA ORTIZ; STELLA MARIS GIANNONI; ROSALÍA CRISTINA PAZ

ECOLOGÍA AUSTRAL

ASOCIACIÓN ARGENTINA DE ECOLOGÍA

Lugar: Buenos Aires; Año: 2018

0327-5477

Ramorinoa girolae Speg.(chica) is an endemic tree species which belongs to the Argentinian xerophyte flora. Thisspecies constitutes an appreciated forest resource for local people due to itsfruits (a substantial basis of thediet of local communities) and its timber (one of the hardest woods). Moreover,chica was pointed as a vulnerable species because it is a monotypic specieswith low abundance and a very restricted endemism (San Juan, San Luis and LaRioja provinces). There is limited information concerning the status of geneticdiversity of the species, for this, we performed an exploratory analysis to characterize the genetic diversityof a natural population located near IschigualastoProvincial Park (San Juan, Argentina) using AFLP molecular markers in 19individuals. The genetic data were correlated with morphometric, ecological andgeographical data. Our results suggest that this population exhibited a highgenetic diversity (Pj = 82.3%). These values also were correlated withgeographical matrices, revealing that this population exhibited a particular spatialgenetic structure (SGS; Mantel Test r = 0.45, p <0.001) and spatial autocorrelation.In addition, values of genetic similarity among the different analyzedindividuals revealed the absence of clones, suggesting a significant contribution of genetic variability due to sexualreproduction in the studied population.