Abstract Detail

Population Genetics

Dias, Elisabete Furtado [1], Moura, Monica [1], Schaefer, Hanno [2], Kilian, Norbert [3], Silva, Luis [1].

Conservation of the highly endangered Lactuca watsoniana: new advances from microsatellite data.

The genus Lactuca L., in its currently accepted circumscription, comprises about 230 species, distributed in Europe, Africa, Asia and North America. Lactuca watsoniana Trel. is a very rare, tetraploid Azorean endemic plant, considered as a priority species for conservation, which occurs in São Miguel, Terceira, Pico and Faial, and is probably extinct in São Jorge. In this research, the population genetic structure and diversity of the species was assessed using eight newly developed SSR markers. One hundred and thirty six individuals, collected from all known populations, were included in the study. Due to the ploidy level in L. watsoniana we analysed the SSR data using PolySat, a program specifically designed for polyploid data. To obtain genetic diversity indexes and AMOVA we converted the SSR data into a dominant matrix. A total of 130 alleles (average = 16.3) were found for L. watsoniana populations. Nei’s diversity index for the species was 0.21 ±0.15. A Principal Coordinate Analysis and a Bayesian analysis with STRUCTURE suggested the existence of three well defined genetic groups, geographically circumscribed to: i) São Miguel; ii) Terceira and iii) Pico and Faial. A low level of admixture was found, particularly associated to a small population from Terceira. Although the largest proportion of genetic variability was found within populations (52.6%), the value obtained between islands was 27%, which supports the existence of genetic variation between islands. The highest values of gene flow were estimated between the geographically close populations of São Miguel Island.We believe that this new set of data will allow the development of more accurate conservation strategies that take into account the genetic differences between the Lactuca watsoniana populations.

1 - CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, , Departamento de Biologia, Rua da Mãe de Deus, Apartado 1422, Ponta Delgada, Azores, 9500-801 Ponta Delga, Portugal
2 - Plant Biodiversity Research, Technische Universität München, D-85354 Freising, Germany
3 - Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin-Dahlem, Freie Universität B, Königin-Luise-Straße 6-8, Berlin, 14195, Berlin, Germany

Keywords:
Azores
population genetics
endemic
conservation
Microsatellites.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Topics
Session: 71
Location: Salon 6/The Shaw Conference Centre
Date: Wednesday, July 29th, 2015
Time: 2:45 PM
Number: 71006
Abstract ID:568
Candidate for Awards:Margaret Menzel Award