Abstract Detail

Population Genetics

Oleas, Nora [1], Meerow, Alan [2], Francisco-Ortega, Javier [3].

Genetic patterns of the endangered Phaedranassa schizantha (Amaryllidaceae).

Phaedranassa schizantha Baker (Amaryllidaceae) is a species restricted to one of the most biodiverse hotspots, the Northern Andes of Ecuador. Two varieties of P. schizantha have been recognized: P. schizantha var. schizantha and P. schizantha var. ignea. These varieties were distinguished mainly by the color of the flowers (pink and salmon-pink respectively) and their geographic distribution. As a whole, the species is categorized as Endangered under IUCN criteria. However P. schizantha var. ignea was listed as Critically endangered, because of it´s scattered known populations and it is restricted geographic distribution. The objective of our study was to assess the conservation genetics of P. schizantha. We genotyped 334 individuals from 12 locations using twelve microsatellite loci. Our results show that genetic diversity, measured as allele richness, was not evenly distributed across populations. Number of alleles were especially low in the southern populations. The majority of the genetic variance was found within populations (80%). With a Bayesian individual assignment approach, we evaluated the genetic structure of the species throughout its geographic range. Our data support three genetically distinct groups; none of them correspond to individuals belonging to a single variety. Coalescence analysis to infer historic demography estimate the rise of the youngest populations to around 3000 years ago. The results of this study provide data to develop a conservation plan for the group.

Broader Impacts:

1 - Universidad Tecnologica Indoamerica, Centro de Investigacion de la Biodiversidad y Cambio Climatico, Machala y Sabanilla, Quito, Ecuador
2 - USDA-ARS-SHRS, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 13601 Old Cutler Road, Miami, FL, 33158, USA
3 - Florida International University & Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Miami, FL, 33199, USA

Keywords:
Phaedranassa schizantha
Northern Andes
Amaryllidaceae
conservation genetics
endangered species
Ecuador.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Topics
Session: 28
Location: Delaware B/Hyatt
Date: Tuesday, July 10th, 2012
Time: 8:30 AM
Number: 28001
Abstract ID:722