Genética da conservação de Cabralea canjerana (Vell.) Mart. (Meliaceae) em fragmentos florestais de mata atlântica na APA Fernão Dias

Abstract

The Atlantic Forest is the biome that is most severely affected by environmental fragmentation. The analysis of genetic diversity structure and demographic and quantitative characteristics allow us to estimate important population parameters to use in conservation programs of endangered species. Cabralea canjerana ssp. canjerana (Meliaceae) is a dioecious tree species that can be considered as a model for Atlantic Forest conservation studies. One hundred and eighty three individuals of eight C. canjerana subpopulations were randomly sampled in forests fragments of the Environmental Protection Area (EPA) Fernão Dias, in Southern Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Using microsatellite markers, the genetic diversity was estimated and contrasted with quantitative and geographic traits of these eight subpopulations. High levels of genetic diversity were found. A small, but significant, portion of the total genetic variance is structured among the subpopulations (θ = 0.053), structured in two different groups. The estimates of the levels of genetic diversity were higher in populations above 1,800 meters of altitude, corroborating with the importance of these populations in the maintenance of genetic diversity. The population density observed was also higher in high altitude fragments (r = 0.849; p-value = 0.007). There was no significative correlation between phenotypic variables (height of individuals and stem diameter) and genetic diversity measures. Conservationist efforts that improve gene flow between these forest fragments must be stimulated, mainly between fragments of higher altitude and fragments of lower altitude. It is shown that populations located at high altitudes have a greater number of individuals per hectare and, therefore, higher levels of genetic diversity. These areas may be treated as repository of genetic diversity and its maintenance is extremely important. The Brazilian Forest Code determines that these areas above 1,800 meters altitude are considered as Permanent Protection Areas (PPA).