ARS | Publication request: GENETIC STRUCTURE OF PHAEDRANASSA TUNGURAGUE RAVENNA (AMARYLLIDACEAE), AN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF ECUADOR

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract
Publication Acceptance Date: August 14, 2005
Publication Date: August 14, 2005
Citation: Oleas, N., Meerow, A.W., Francisco-Ortega, J., Kuhn, D. 2005. Genetic structure of phaedranassa tungurague ravenna (amaryllidaceae), an endangered species of ecuador. Meeting Abstract.

Technical Abstract: Phaedranassa tunguraguae is endemic to Ecuador and only known from five populations, located in one of the most deforested regions in the country. It is catalogued under IUCN 2004 Red List of Threatened Species as "Endangered". In this study, eight microsatellite primers designed specifically for this species were screened within individuals from the five known populations of the species to estimate their genetic structure. The results showed these populations are not under Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and exhibit an excess of homozygotes. The intra-populational genetic diversity revealed high levels of inbreeding. Among populations, a gradual increase in differentiation could be discerned from the westernmost populations to the easternmost. A reduction of allele richness between populations followed the same pattern. The results suggest a series of recent founder events towards the east, which could be the result of biogeography and anthropogenic forces. The results of this study will contribute data relevant to develop conservation strategies for this endangered species.