Phylogeographic structure in the widespread Embothrium coccnineum (Proteaceae) reflects historical events in Patagonia

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

San Isidro, Buenos Aires

Congreso; VII Reunión Argentina de Cladística y Biogeografía; 2007

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.