Redalyc.POPULATION VARIATION in the ENDEMIC PINUS CULMINICOLA DETECTED by RAPD
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Polibotánica ISSN: 1405-2768 [email protected] Departamento de Botánica México Favela Lara, Susana POPULATION VARIATION IN THE ENDEMIC PINUS CULMINICOLA DETECTED BY RAPD Polibotánica, núm. 30, septiembre, 2010, pp. 55-67 Departamento de Botánica Distrito Federal, México Available in: http://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=62114250005 How to cite Complete issue Scientific Information System More information about this article Network of Scientific Journals from Latin America, the Caribbean, Spain and Portugal Journal's homepage in redalyc.org Non-profit academic project, developed under the open access initiative Núm. 30, pp. 55-67, ISSN 1405-2768; México, 2010 POPULATION VARIATION IN THE ENDEMIC PINUS CULMINICOLA DETECTED BY RAPD Susana Favela Lara Departamento de Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León. Correo electrónico: [email protected] ABSTRACT high but differentiation between them low. This suggests that even though this tree- Pinus culminicola, the dwarf pinyon, line pine has a restricted and fragmented is an endangered species endemic to distribution through the Sierra Madre northeastern Mexico, where it grows Oriental, gene fl ow between populations at the highest altitude of any of the has been suffi cient to prevent a dramatic Cembroides group. In order to determine loss of genetic variation and genetic drift. the degree of genetic isolation between populations of P. culminicola and the Key words: Pinus culminicola, genetic amount of gene flow between them, variation, RAPD. samples were obtained from Cerro El Potosi and Sierra La Viga, two localities RESUMEN within its restricted area of distribution in the Sierra Madre Oriental, and analyzed Pinus culminicola, piñonero enano que cre- using random amplifi ed polymorphic DNA ce en las partes más elevadas que cualquier (RAPD). The fi ve primers tested for the pino del grupo Cembroides, es endémico analysis showed banding patterns with del Noreste de México y está enlistado very high reproducibility and clear band como especie amenazada. Con la inten- resolution. These fi ve primers produced ción de examinar los niveles y patrones de a total of 72 distinct bands, 52 of which variación genética entre poblaciones de were polymorphic across the whole P. culminicola para determinar su grado sample. The genetic diversity in the two de aislamiento genético y la ocurrencia populations was high with a percentage de flujo genético entre poblaciones, se of polymorphism of 53.7% and degree of tomaron muestras en dos localidades de su diversity measured by the Shannon index área de distribución restringida en la Sierra of 56%. The total variation found between Madre Oriental y se analizaron utilizando the two populations was 5.98% (P = RAPDs. 0.0001). Most of the variation was found within populations (94.02%). Contrary to Los cinco primers probados para el expectations, the level of genetic variation análisis de P. culminicola mostraron pa- found in the two isolated populations was trones de bandeo con un alto grado de 55 Núm. 30: 55-67 Septiembre 2010 reproducibilidad y una resolución clara is that they are more highly fragmented de las bandas. Estos primers arrojaron than those in northern latitudes (Ledig et un total de 72 bandas distintas, de las al., 2000). However, this pattern can be cuales 52 fueron polimorfas a través de affected by historical events. Many conifers todas las muestras. La diversidad gené- of the northern latitudes expanded into their tica fue alta en las dos poblaciones con present range within the last 10 000 years, un porcentaje de polimorfi smo de 53.7% leaving little time for differentiation to oc- y un grado de diversidad medido por el cur. The ancestors of the present-day Pinus índice de Shannon de 56%. El total de banksiana and Pinus contorta, for example, la variación encontrada entre las dos po- were in contact in the geologically recent blaciones fue de 5.98% (P = 0.0001). La past; the lack of differentiation within these mayor variación fue dentro de poblaciones species refl ects recent gene fl ow (Ledig et (94.02%). Contrario a lo esperado, los al., 2000). niveles de variación entre las poblaciones aisladas de P. culminicola fue baja. Esto su- The geographical range of a species is giere que a pesar de que la especie presenta considered to be one of the best predictors una distribución restringida y aislada en of the level of genetic variation found in la Sierra Madre Oriental, el fl ujo genético natural populations (Hamrick et al., 1992). entre las poblaciones ha sido sufi ciente An example is provided by the genus Pinus. para prevenir una pérdida dramática de Pine species that are distributed as scattered variación genética y una deriva. isolated populations have more genetic diversity among populations, while more Palabras clave: Pinus culminicola, varia- widespread and continuous distributed ción genética, RAPD. pines have less among-population diversity (Hamrick et al., 1992, Ledig et al., 2001, INTRODUCTION Molina-Freaner et al., 2001). Molecular studies have revealed that coni- Fragmentation into small, scattered popula- fers have high levels of genetic variation tions is expected to lead to genetic isolation, and relatively little genetic differentiation loss of genetic diversity, differentiation of among populations (Ledig, 1998). The the populations and increased probability of common explanation for the low genetic extinction (Ledig et al., 2001). Thirty fi ve differentiation found in conifers species of 47 pine species reported to Mexico are is the reproductive system: seed and po- endemic to this country (Perry et al., 1998). llen are basically wind dispersed and this Many of these species are represented by allows a more effi cient gene fl ow among small, scattered populations and also are distant populations (Delgado et al., 1999). presumed threatened or endangered. Nine Levels of diversity in Mexican conifers are of these Mexican pine species are listed by generally twice as those in species from the International Union for Conservation northern temperate latitudes (Ledig et al., of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN, 2000). The most obvious reason for higher 2001) as species of concern (Farjon and levels of differentiation in Mexican species Page, 1999). 56 Favela Lara, S.: Population variation in the endemic Pinus culminicola detected by RAPD Pinus culminicola, the dwarf pinyon, grows tions; or alternatively whether it represents at the highest altitude of any of the Cem- a relict of an ancient plant community. broides group, in the Northeast of Mexico. It occurs at the top of the two highest moun- Pinus culminicola has a very restricted tains of the Sierra Madre Oriental, separated range and during dry periods is very sus- from each other by about 72 km (straight- ceptible to fi re. In 1975 more than 5 ha of line distance) and is listed as an endangered a large community on the northern slope of species. It grows in an altitudinal range of Cerro el Potosi were completely destroyed 3300-3 650 m. It is a shrub or small tree 1-5 by fi re. In 1996 another big fi re destroyed m high, commonly multi-stemmed from the more than the 40% of the remaining com- base, usually spreading with branches ex- munity in Cerro el Potosi. P. culminicola tending outward from the base from 3-4 m, is classifi ed as “EN” (A3c + B2a,b(i-v)) forming dense vegetation (“matorral”). The on the IUCN Red List, and is considered soils are shallow, rocky, gravely limestone. endangered based principally on its low Rainfall is high since rain, sleet and snow area of occupancy and estimated continuing occur frequently throughout the year. Un- decline of at least 50% within 10 years or fortunately at the very high, isolated locatio- three generations (IUCN, 2001). ns where this taxon grows, temperatures and rainfall measurements are not available. At The aim of this study is to use RAPD mar- the summit of Cerro el Potosi, Nuevo León, kers to examine the levels and patterns of one of the populations where this species genetic variation between two populations grows, it occurs with Pinus hartwegii. In of Pinus culminicola to determine their Sierra La Viga, Coahuila, P. culminicola has degree of genetic isolation and if there is been found with P. hartwegii and also with evidence that gene fl ow occurs between the P. strobiformis and in association with other two populations. conifer species (Pseudotsuga menziesii and Abies vejarii). MATERIAL AND METHODS Pinus culminicola is an interesting pine be- Sample collection cause it is so different from the other pinyon pines species. The ecological conditions of Two populations were sampled from their moist, cool, high-altitude environments is restricted distribution in the Sierra Madre in marked contrast to the semiarid condi- Oriental (Fig. 1, Table 1). Within each tions generally associated with the other population, 30 individuals were randomly pinyon pines species. P. hartwegii and P. selected and 10 g of mature needle samples strobiformis, the associated species, are collected from each tree. These were dried well adapted to the high altitude conditions; and stored in plastic bags containing 10 g however, they do not have “close relatives” of silica gel. that are adapted to warmer semiarid and arid conditions. The taxon P. cembroides grows DNA extraction around the base of Cerro el Potosi under hot and dry conditions. One question is how P. DNA was extracted from 0.5g of dried culminicola adapted to such different condi- needles following the method of Doyle 57 Núm. 30: 55-67 Septiembre 2010 Fig. 1. Populations of Pinus culminicola sampled in the Northeast of Mexico. 58 Favela Lara, S.: Population variation in the endemic Pinus culminicola detected by RAPD Table 1. Sampled populations of P. culminicola in the Northeast of Mexico. Species Coordinates Population Altitude number/Locality P.