2014/10/16 by Verônica A. Thode, Gustavo A. Silva‐Arias, Gustavo A. Silva-Arias +7 · 25 citations
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Environmental Science · #Biology #Ecological niche #Ecology #Endangered species #Environmental niche modelling #Genetic diversity #Genetic diversity and population structure #Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies #Habitat #Phylogenetic tree #Phylogeography #Population #Species Distribution and Climate Change
paper · doi:10.1111/boj.12202
published in Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 176(3), 332-348 (Oxford University Press)
openalex publication_date 2014/10/16 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31
Genetic diversity analyses, coupled with ecological niche modelling (ENM) of species with a restricted distribution, may provide valuable information for understanding diversification patterns in endangered areas. We analyzed the genetic diversity of Recordia reitzii, a tree restricted to the threatened and highly fragmented Brazilian Atlantic forest, using three intergenic cpDNA spacers and ten microsatellite (SSR) loci. To assess the historical processes that may have influenced the distribution of extant R. reitzii populations, the current potential distributions of R. reitzii and Recordia boliviana, a closely related species, were modelled and projected onto the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and Last Interglacial (LIG) periods. Niche divergence was quantified between these two. The cpDNA and SSR data showed a north–south pattern of the diversity distribution and structured populations, suggesting that gene flow is probably limited. According to our data, R. reitzii exhibits low genetic diversity, which may be a result of a founder or distribution-reduction effect, narrow distribution or small population size. The ecological niche models showed a wider palaeodistribution during the LIG and a retraction during the LGM for both species. Tests of niche divergence and conservatism indicated that bioclimatic factors might have influenced the diversification of these Recordia species.