Molecular characterization of Nicaraguan Pinus tecunumanii Schw. ex Eguiluz et Perry populations for in situ conservation

摘要

We conducted molecular characterization of Nicaraguan Pinus tecunumanii populations using microsatellite markers. Populations possess considerable genetic variation but there are risks associated with inbreeding and population fragmentation. We carried out a molecular characterization of three natural populations of Pinus tecunumanii using nine microsatellite markers. All studied populations occur in Nicaragua, where the species has declined primarily due to human-influenced factors. The results showed that there is a high amount of genetic variation in populations (expected heterozygosities 0.775-0.841), populations do not show significant differentiation (mean F (ST) 0.0073), apparently due to frequent gene flow or a more continuous distribution and homogenous genetic composition in the past, and inbreeding is common in all populations (F (IS) 0.705-0.780). The Structure analysis revealed that there is no evident clustering pattern among P. tecunumanii individuals. Although all studied populations possess a considerable amount of genetic variation, risks associated with inbreeding and population fragmentation should be acknowledged and a conservation strategy developed to safeguard the genetic resources of P. tecunumanii