Genetic studies of various Prosopis species (Leguminosae, Section Algarobia) co-occurring in oases of the Atacama Desert (northern Chile)

• Autores: Bessega, Cecilia Fabiana; Pometti, Carolina Luciana; Fortunato, Renée Hersilia; Greene, Francisca; Santoro Delgado, Conrado Maria; McRostie, Virginia
• Año de publicación: 2021
• Idioma: inglés
• Tipo de recurso: artículo
• Materia: ALGARROBO; CHILENSES; GENETIC DIVERSITY; MICROSATELLITES; SOCIOCULTURAL FACTORS; STRUCTURE
• Institución: Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas

In the Atacama Desert from northern Chile (19–24°S), Prosopis (Leguminosae) individuals are restricted to oases that are unevenly distributed and isolated from each other by large stretches of barren landscape constituting an interesting study model as the degree of connectivity between natural populations depends on their dispersal capacity and the barriers imposed by the landscape. Our goal was to assess the genetic diversity and the degree of differentiation among groups of Prosopis individuals of different species from Section Algarobia and putative hybrids (hereafter populations) co-occurring in these isolated oases from the Atacama Desert and determine whether genetic patterns are associated with dispersal barriers. Thirteen populations were sampled from oases located on three hydrographic basins (Pampa del Tamarugal, Rio Loa, and Salar de Atacama; northern, central, and southern basins, respectively). Individuals genotyped by eight SSRs show high levels of genetic diversity (HO = 0.61, Ar = 3.5) and low but significant genetic differentiation among populations (FST = 0.128, FST-ENA = 0.129, DJOST = 0.238). The AMOVA indicates that most of the variation occurs within individuals (79%) and from the variance among individuals (21%); almost, the same variation can be found between basins and between populations within basins. Differentiation and structure results were not associated with the basins, retrieving up to four genetic clusters and certain admixture in the central populations. Pairwise differentiation comparisons among populations showed inconsistencies considering their distribution throughout the basins. Genetic and geographic distances were significantly correlated at global and within the basins considered (p <.02), but low correlation indices were obtained (r <.37). These results are discussed in relation to the fragmented landscape, considering both natural and non-natural (humans) dispersal agents that may be moving Prosopis in the Atacama Desert.
Fil: Bessega, Cecilia Fabiana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución; Argentina
Fil: Pometti, Carolina Luciana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución; Argentina
Fil: Fortunato, Renée Hersilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación de Recursos Naturales. Instituto de Recursos Biológicos; Argentina. Universidad de Morón; Argentina
Fil: Greene, Francisca. San Pedro de Atacama; Chile
Fil: Santoro Delgado, Conrado Maria. Universidad de Tarapaca. Instituto de Alta Investigación; Chile
Fil: McRostie, Virginia. Fundación Desierto de Atacama; Chile. Universidad Católica de Chile; Chile. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; Chile