Application of biophysical factors and molecular markers to explain spatial genetic structure in strawberry tree using GIS tools

conferenceObject

Ribeiro, M.M.A.
Quinta-Nova, L.C.
Roque, N.
Ricardo, A.
Gaspar, D.
Costa, R.

RIBEIRO, M.M.A.; QUINTA-NOVA, L.C.; ROQUE, N.; RICARDO, A.; GASPAR, D.; COSTA, R. (2014) Application of biophysical factors and molecular markers to explain spatial genetic structure in strawberry tree using GIS tools. 2014 IUFRO Forest Tree Breeding Conference. Prague.

Application of biophysical factors and molecular markers to explain spatial genetic structure in strawberry tree using GIS tools

Arbutus unedo
Genetic structure
GIS
Forest tree improvement
Landscape units

Projeto ARBUTUS (PTDC/AGR-FOR/3746/2012, Arbutus unedo plants and products quality improvement for the agro-forestry sector)

2014-09-02T15:28:55Z
2014-09-02T15:28:55Z
2014

The strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) is a native species, water stress and low fertility soils tolerant, actively resistant to wildfires and widely distributed in Portugal. The fruit is used in the spirit production, the main source of income. Red fruits, with antioxidant potential, represent, also, a new market opportunity. The geographical isolation and extinction-recolonization dynamics are two factors causing strong genetic structure in metapopulations. We investigated how history, geography, and geoclimatic factors have affected population genetic structure, local adaptation, and, ultimately, its phylogeography. We examined patterns and levels of genetic diversity with nuclear microsatellites and cpDNA haplotypes in populations from across the species range. Under the project ARBUTUS (PTDC/AGR-FOR/3746/2012, Arbutus unedo plants and products quality improvement for the agro-forestry sector) 30 trees were selected, georeferenced, and leaves sampled, in 15 natural populations distributed throughout the country. With GIS tools, the stands were ecologically characterized, at a local scale, using lithology, topography, soil type, vegetation and wildfires records. This data was further used to distinguish Local Landscape Units (LLU) associated with each population. The populations were further clustered using large scale biogeographic and vegetation successions information and, this a priori hierarchy, together with the genetic structure information, was used to explain the species phytogeography. We aimed at finding the historical population demographic scenarios to explain the current patterns of genetic structure and diversity unfold for the species. The obtained information will be used in the species improvement, management and design of conservation programs.

openAccess

eng