Genetic structure of natural populations of Theobroma in the Juruena National Park, Mato Grosso State, Brazil

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Several species within the genus 10365-10375 (2015) genetic diversity in breeding programs. These latter species could also be domesticated or improved to produce commercial products. Using 13 simple sequence repeat loci, the population structure and genetic diversity of T. speciosum and T. subincanum natural populations in the Juruena National Park, Mato Grosso State, Brazil, was studied. We sampled all individuals of each species (N = 25) present inside a designated research area established by the Program for Research on Biodiversity. The average number of alleles per locus was 5 for T. speciosum and 6.69 for T. subincanum, with average PIC values above 0.5 in both species. All evaluated individuals varied genetically. Seeds from the individuals analyzed will be useful for the development of germplasm banks and for establishment of breeding programs.

SPATIAL STRUCTURE OF Theobroma subincanumMart. AND Theobromaspeciosum Willd. ex Spreng.IN THE PARQUE NACIONAL DO JURUENA, MATO GROSSO STATE, BRAZIL

“…According to Silva et al (2015), each plant produced a large quantity of fruits, which are consumed by medium-sized mammals, such as monkeys. This consumption, associated with the high digestive efficiency of these animals, contributes to the occurrence of shadows of seeds grouped near the maternal plants.…”

“…Such exploration significantly modifies the structure of the forest, acting directly on the spatial distribution and phenological patterns of native species (Silva et al, 2015).…”

The effects of fragmentation on the genetic structure of Theobroma speciosum (Malvaceae) populations

“…(cacauhy) is native to the Amazonian region and it is distributed in primary forests of unflooded lands. This species, although little known, is important because it represents a possible source of resistance among most of the economically relevant species belonging to genus Theobroma (Silva et al, 2015).Native Theobroma species, such as cacauhy, are losing their habitat due to the intense forest fragmentation in the Amazon, and thus preserving the genetic diversity has been the main goal of most conservation programs focused on preserving the gene of interest and on allowing species variability maintenance at genetic level (Bekessy et al, 2002).Forest fragmentation decreases the number of individuals in a given population and, consequently, favors genetic variation losses. Genetic drift is the measured gene frequency of these individuals.…”

“…The sustainable use of these resources and the lack of biological knowledge about most of the Amazonian flora species are challenges for future generations (Silva et al, 2015).…”

Naturally fragmented but not genetically isolated populations of Podocarpus sellowii Klotzsch (Podocarpaceae) in southeast Brazil

“…Although the number of studies on anthropogenic habitat fragmentation in plants is increasing (Silva et al, 2015;Álvares-Carvalho et al, 2016), to date, there have been no reports on the genetic structure of populations that are naturally fragmented. The present study represents the first case study addressing this characteristic, which is common in some Brazilian ecosystems.…”