Genetic structure of Zephyranthes fosteri, specie with ornamental and medicinal potential in Mexico

Abstract

Zephyranthes fosteri is a wild species distributed in Mexico, it is popular for its ornamental quality. Anthropogenic activities perturbed its natural habitats and threaten its survival. At present time, there is not enough information about the genetic relationships and structure among Z. fosteri distributed in Mexico. The objective of this investigation was to elucidate the genetic relationships and structure among accessions of Z. fosteri collected in western and southeastern Mexico. ISSR markers were used to establish the genetic variability and genetic structure among 60 accessions randomly collected in western Mexico and one population found in southeastern Mexico. Jaccard’s coefficient and AMOVA analysis determined the similarity and variability among and within accessions, and Bayesian model was used to assess the genetic structure. A mean heterozygosity of 0.49 was found indicated a moderate variability. The AMOVA analysis showed that 75 % of this variability was within accessions, and 25 % among accessions. A 56.75 % polymorphism was detected with ISSR markers, and genetic structure analysis identified four genetic groups.