Genetic data on threatened plant populations can facilitate the development of adequate conservation strategies to reduce extinction risk. Such data are particularly important for species affected by habitat fragmentation such as Magnolia cubensis subsp. acunae, a Critically Endangered magnolia subspecies endemic to Cuba. Using genetic data from 67 individuals, we aimed to evaluate the effect of habitat fragmentation on two subpopulations in the Guamuhaya mountain range, in Topes de Collantes Protected Natural Landscape and Lomas de Banao Ecological Reserve. We characterize the structure and genetic diversity of these subpopulations, with the objective of managing their conservation more effectively. We used Landsat satellite images to determine land-cover types at the two locations and calculated indices of habitat fragmentation. For genetic analyses, we extracted DNA from the leaf tissue of individuals from the two subpopulations and used 11 microsatellite markers to genotype them. We calculated heterozygosity, allelic richness and the F-statistics, to evaluate genetic variability. The montane rainforest in Topes de Collantes was most affected by habitat fragmentation, with smaller patches of more irregular shapes, compared to submontane forest at this location and both montane and submontane forests in Lomas de Banao. Genetic diversity was higher in Topes de Collantes, but we found no genetic differentiation between subpopulations. Our findings suggest the two subpopulations can be considered a single evolutionary unit and conservation entity. We propose to use individuals from both subpopulations for reinforcement to increase the overall genetic diversity of the subspecies.
Antecedentes: Gran parte de las evaluaciones del estado de conservación de los taxones de Magnoliaceae en Cuba se han basado en inferencias sobre su distribución y tamaños poblacionales. No obstante, estas investigaciones se han enfocado en un taxón o subsección. Preguntas: ¿Cómo se distribuyen los taxones nativos de Magnoliaceae en Cuba? ¿Cuál es su estado de conservación actual? Especies de estudio: Taxones nativos de Magnoliaceae. Sitio y años de estudio: Cuba, 1884-2020. Métodos: Se utilizaron 3,481 puntos de presencia. A partir de las coordenadas de cada taxón se mapeó la distribución real, se registró la formación vegetal, altitud, área protegida donde se localizaban, se calculó la extensión de presencia, el área de ocupación y la densidad. Se resumió el estado de conservación de los taxones a partir de sus categorizaciones actuales. Resultados: Magnoliaceae en Cuba se distribuye a altitudes promedios elevadas en los macizos montañosos Guamuhaya, Sierra Maestra y Nipe-Sagua-Baracoa, asociada fundamentalmente a los bosques siempreverdes; con excepción de Magnolia virginiana subsp. oviedoae que se encuentra al nivel del mar y en formaciones vegetales de ciénagas. Se encontró una gran representatividad en áreas protegidas. Todas las magnolias cubanas se encuentran amenazadas, fundamentalmente debido a la tala, la modificación del hábitat por la presencia de especies exóticas invasoras y la existencia de plantaciones forestales. Conclusiones: En sentido general, los patrones de distribución responden a lo descrito para el género en Cuba y el Caribe. Exceptuando Magnolia minor, las categorías de amenazas de las magnolias cubanas cambiaron con respecto a las categorizaciones anteriores.
The recovery of species’ populations is one of the most challenging tasks in conservation, which is why species recovery is most likely to be successful if it involves as many stakeholders as possible. Podocarpus angustifolius, a tree endemic to Cuba, is potentially threatened by overexploitation, deforestation and expansion of exotic species. In December of 2017, in two protected areas containing the only known subpopulations of this species, we recorded the geographical position, height, and diameter at breast height of each individual, and calculated the extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO). We recorded a total of 575 individuals, 174 of which were adult (defined as ≥ 6 m height on the basis of the occurrence of reproductive structures), and most of which occurred in Lomas de Banao Ecological Reserve. The EOO and AOO were 125.8 km2 and 6.0 km2, respectively. All P. angustifolius that remain in the wild are within two protected areas, either in rainforest relicts or in coffee plantations. The size structure indicates a growing population. Based on our findings we recommend that P. angustifolius should be recategorized from Vulnerable (on the IUCN Red List) and Critically Endangered (on the national Red List) to Endangered, based on criterion D (small population size). We recommend the continued reinforcement of the population at Topes de Collantes Natural Protected Landscape and the continued engagement of local stakeholders for the long-term conservation of this species.
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