Abstract Detail

Genetics Section

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

Developing microsatellite markers for studying the genetic structure of Phaedranassa schizantha and P. tunguraguae (Amaryllidaceae).

Phaedranassa schizantha and P. tunguraguae are endemic plants restricted to the Northern Andean region in Ecuador. They are only known from five and sixteen populations, respectively, located in one of the most deforested areas in the country. They are catalogued under IUCN 2001 Red List categories as “Vulnerable” (P. schizantha) and “Endangered” (P. tunguraguae). Knowledge of the genetic structure of these populations is imperative to insure the survival of these species for conservation purposes. With this intention in mind, microsatellites loci were isolated to estimate the genetic diversity within and between populations. Microsatellites were isolated using an enrichment protocol. Five hundred seventy six colonies were produced from the P. tunguraguae library and 135 sequences contained microsatellites (23%). However, only 95 sequences were suitable for primer design and just 84 of them were unique. The resulting 40 primers were screened using fluorescent dUTPs on eight individuals from a single population. Fourteen of those primers were polymorphic and will be used for further population genetics studies. It is expected that small populations of narrowly distributed species, such as Phaedranassa populations will show low levels of genetic variation within populations but high levels of genetic variation among populations as a result of genetic drift and restricted gene flow. The results obtained will be valuable not only for the conservation of this species but for the conservation of other Phaedranassa species, which are exposed to the same pressures of population fragmentation and habitat degradation.

1 - Florida International University, Dept. of Biological Sciences, 11200 SW 8th St., Miami, Florida, 33199, USA
2 - U.S. Department of Agriculture,, Agricultural Research Service,, 13601 Old Cutler Road, Miami, Florida, 33158, USA

Keywords:
microsatellite
population genetics
Amaryllidaceae
Ecuador
Phaedranassa
conservation
molecular markers.

Presentation Type: Paper
Session: 41-2
Location: Peruvian (Cliff Lodge)
Date: Wednesday, August 4th, 2004
Time: 8:15 AM
Abstract ID:386