Genetic diversity and structure of Hancornia speciosa Gomes populations characterized by microsatellites markers

Abstract

Hancornia speciosa Gomes, a native fruit tree, plays an important socio-economic role in Brazil’s traditional communities. The objective was to estimate the genetic structure of 176 individuals from eight locations in the Cerrado, Caatinga and Atlantic Forest biomes, based on six microsatellite markers. The analyzes revealed the formation of five population groups: A-Pernambuco, Paraíba and Sergipe (Atlantic Forest), B-Maranhão (Cerrado); both, var. speciosa, C-Bahia (Caatinga / Cerrado transition zone) and Ceará (Caatinga), D-Goiás (Cerrado) and E-Minas Gerais (Cerrado,) being groups C, D and E possibly var. pubescens. Most of the genetic variation is within the groups (65.61%, Fst = 0.34, p <0.001). Although group A had the highest Ho (0.66), it had a negative fixation index (f =-0.02), while the other had positive values. Our results revealed high levels of genetic diversity and provide support the development of more efficient conservation strategies for H. speciosa.