Development of microsatellite markers for Calyptranthes clusiifolia (Myrtaceae).

The endemic tree species Calyptranthes clusiifolia (Myrtaceae) plays a relevant ecological role in the forest fragments where it has a common occurrence. In this study, we reported the development of microsatellite markers for C. clusiifolia what will allow a better understanding of the relationship between the forest fragmentation process and the genetic structure and diversity of tree populations. Seven microsatellite markers were developed using an enriched genomic library and characterized in 30 individuals (from three populations). These seven loci were polymorphic and resulted in a total of 23 alleles. The expected heterozygosity (HE) varied from 0.14 (Caly 06) to 0.73 (Caly 22). Linkage disequilibrium between the loci (p > 0.0007) pairs was not detected. The parentage exclusion power of the first (Pe-1) and the second (Pe-2) parents were 0.6099 and 0.8548, respectively. The microsatellite markers developed are indicated for future studies of the genetic diversity in natural populations of C. clusiifolia.

Development and characterization of nuclear microsatellite markers for Eremanthus erythropappus and their transferability across related species.

BACKGROUND: We developed simple sequence repeats (SSR) for Eremanthus erythropappus (DC.) MacLeish, an endangered tree species endemic to the Brazilian Savanna and Atlantic Forest biomes, and tested their transferability to two closely related Eremanthus species. RESULTS: Using a genomic library enriched with tandem repeat motifs, we identified 16 primer pairs, and characterized them in two populations. Nine primers amplified the expected size fragments and seven SSRs were polymorphic, providing a total of 38 alleles and an average of 4.22 alleles per marker. The polymorphic information content (PIC) ranged from 0.44 to 0.94 with an average of 0.65. The average observed heterozygosity across all loci varied from 0.61 to 1.00. The observed (HO) and expected (HE) heterozygosity within the two populations varied from 0.65 to 1.00 and from 0.31 to 1.00, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These newly developed SSR markers are a powerful tool for population genetic analyses and may be useful in studies on species ecology, evolution, and taxonomy.

Use of polylactic acid microvessel to obtain microplantlets of Eucalyptus microcorys through indirect organogenesis.

Microplants of Eucalyptus microcorys were produced through indirect organogenesis, and the interaction of plant growth regulators (PGRs) (TDZ-thidiazuron and NAA-α-naphthalene acetic acid), juvenile tissues (cotyledon and hypocotyl) and different types of polylactic acid (PLA) microvessels on plant production were evaluated. Cotyledon-derived callus induction increased by 30-60% in all tested combinations of TDZ and NAA concentrations compared the absence of PGRs. Hypocotyl-derived callus induction was improved in most tested combinations of TDZ and NAA concentrations. Moreover, 100% callus induction from both tissues was achieved with TDZ (1, 2 and 3 mg L-1) + NAA (0 mg L-1). Bud induction from cotyledon tissues was improved with TDZ (1 and 3 mg L-1) + NAA (0 mg L-1) and from hypocotyl with TDZ (1 and 2 mg L-1) + NAA (0 mg L-1). Shoot elongation from cotyledon tissues was not improved from any combination of PGRs, whereas TDZ (1 mg L-1) + NAA (0 mg L-1), TDZ (1 mg L-1) + NAA (4 mg L-1), TDZ (2 mg L-1) + NAA (4 mg L-1) and TDZ (3 mg L-1) + NAA (2 mg L-1) improved shoot elongation from hypocotyl tissues. Adventitious rooting and acclimatization of microcuttings ranged from 40 to 70% in three of the tested microvessels. The acclimatized microcuttings had low genetic variability. Successful production of E. microcorys microplants was achieved in this study using hypocotyl tissue and cultivated a culture medium supplemented with TDZ and NAA, using PLA-based microvessels.

Admixture facilitates adaptation from standing variation in the European aspen (Populus tremula L.), a widespread forest tree.

Adaptation to new environments can start from new mutations or from standing variation already present in natural populations. Whether admixture constrains or facilitates adaptation from standing variation is largely unknown, especially in ecological keystone or foundation species. We examined patterns of neutral and adaptive population divergence in Populus tremula L., a widespread forest tree, using mapped molecular genetic markers. We detected the genetic signature of postglacial admixture between a Western and an Eastern lineage of P. tremula in Scandinavia, an area suspected to represent a zone of postglacial contact for many species of animals and plants. Stringent divergence-based neutrality tests provided clear indications for locally varying selection at the European scale. Six of 12 polymorphisms under selection were located less than 1 kb away from the nearest gene predicted by the Populus trichocarpa genome sequence. Few of these loci exhibited a signature of 'selective sweeps' in diversity-based tests, which is to be expected if adaptation occurs primarily from standing variation. In Scandinavia, admixture explained genomic patterns of ancestry and the nature of clinal variation and strength of selection for bud set, a phenological trait of great adaptive significance in temperate trees, measured in a common garden trial. Our data provide a hitherto missing direct link between past range shifts because of climatic oscillations, and levels of standing variation currently available for selection and adaptation in a terrestrial foundation species.