Patterns of genetic diversity and potential ecological niches of Stylosanthes species from northeastern Argentina

SILVESTRI, M. C.; ACUÑA, C. A.; MORENO, E. M. S.; GARCIA, A. V.; VANNI, R.O.; LAVIA, G.I.

CROP SCIENCE

CROP SCIENCE SOC AMER

Año: 2020 vol. 60 p. 1436 - 1449

0011-183X

The Stylosanthes genus is native to Central and South America and contains severalof the most important tropical legumes used for forage. The southernmost natural distributionof the genus includes the northeast of Argentina, a subtropical region whereseveral phytogeographic provinces and ecoregions converge, giving rise to particularenvironmental conditions. Here, we used inter-simple sequence repeat markersto evaluate the genetic diversity and genetic structure of four and eight natural populationsfrom northeast of Argentina of Stylosanthes guianensis (Aubl.) Sw. and S.hippocampoides Mohlenbr., respectively. We also modeled the potential ecologicalniches to obtain environmental information regarding new collection areas and futurecrop areas. High genetic diversity and specific bands were found for both species.The summary statistics were relatively higher for S. guianensis than for S. hippocampoides.In both species, more genetic diversity was present among populations thanwithin them, and correlation between genetic and geographic distances was observed.Populations were grouped according to their respective species, and their geographicalsource. The results suggest that collecting a few individuals from a large numberof different sites would be an appropriate method for conserving the diversity of thesespecies, with emphasis on those areas with the highest levels of genetic diversity. Themodeling of ecological niches suggested mean temperature of the coldest quarter asthe most important bioclimatic variable influencing S. guianensis distribution, andtemperature seasonality as the variable influencing S. hippocampoides distribution,and showed new potential areas for future collections and as potential crop areas ofthe species.