Historical events in Patagonia reflected in phylogeographic structure of the widespread Embothrium coccineum (Proteaceae)

SOUTO, C.P.; M. ARBETMAN; R. VIDAL-RUSSELL & A.C. PREMOLI

DARWINIANA

INSTITUTO DE BOTÁNICA DARWINION

Año: 2007 p. 127 - 129

0011-6793

The evolutionary history of populations and species, play a major role in determining the levels and distribution patterns of genetic variants. Particularly range contractions during Pleistocene glaciations (c. 18,000 yr. bp) followed by recolonization after glacial retreat are thought to affect genetic patterns. Hotspots of genetic diversity and among-population divergence are predicted in refugial areas whereas low polymorphism is expected in newly colonized areas due to bottlenecks through the migratory process. We tested the hypothesis that cold-tolerant elements were probably able to withstand full glacial conditions in multiple Pleistocene refugia using phylogeographic methods in the widespread Embothrium coccineum Forst. (Proteaceae) distributed along 20° latitude.