Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of a Threatened African Tree Species, Milicia excelsa, Using Nuclear Microsatellites DNA Markers

To accurately estimate the genetic diversity and population structure for improved conservation planning of Milicia excelsa tree, 212 individuals from twelve population samples covering the species' range in Benin were surveyed at seven specific microsatellite DNA loci. All loci were variable,...

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Main Authors: Christine Ouinsavi, Nestor Sokpon, Damase P. Khasa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2009-01-01
Series:International Journal of Forestry Research
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2009/210179
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author Christine Ouinsavi
Nestor Sokpon
Damase P. Khasa
author_facet Christine Ouinsavi
Nestor Sokpon
Damase P. Khasa
author_sort Christine Ouinsavi
collection DOAJ
description To accurately estimate the genetic diversity and population structure for improved conservation planning of Milicia excelsa tree, 212 individuals from twelve population samples covering the species' range in Benin were surveyed at seven specific microsatellite DNA loci. All loci were variable, with the mean number of alleles per locus ranging from 5.86 to 7.69. Considerable genetic variability was detected for all populations at the seven loci (AR=4.60; HE=0.811). Moderate but statistically significant genetic differentiation was found among populations considering both FST (0.112) and RST (0.342). All of the populations showed heterozygosity deficits in test of Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium and significantly positive FIS values due to inbreeding occurring in the species. Pairwise FST values were positively and significantly correlated with geographical distances (r=0.432; P=.007, Mantel's test) indicating that populations are differentiated by “isolation by distance.” Bayesian analysis of population structure showed division of the genetic variation into four clusters revealing the existence of heterogeneity in population genetic structure. Altogether, these results indicate that genetic variation in Milicia excelsa is geographically structured. Information gained from this study also emphasized the need for in situ conservation of the relict populations and establishment of gene flow corridors through agroforestry systems for interconnecting these remnant populations.
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spelling doaj-art-fe3baa71583d4947a9639bc3430a30002025-02-03T01:21:38ZengWileyInternational Journal of Forestry Research1687-93681687-93762009-01-01200910.1155/2009/210179210179Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of a Threatened African Tree Species, Milicia excelsa, Using Nuclear Microsatellites DNA MarkersChristine Ouinsavi0Nestor Sokpon1Damase P. Khasa2Laboratoire d'Études et de Recherches Forestières, Faculté d'Agronomie, Université de Parakou, BP 123 Parakou, BeninLaboratoire d'Études et de Recherches Forestières, Faculté d'Agronomie, Université de Parakou, BP 123 Parakou, BeninChaire de Recherche du Canada en Génomique Forestière et Environnementale and Centre de Recherche en Biologie Forestière, Université Laval, Sainte-Foy, QC, G1K 7P4, CanadaTo accurately estimate the genetic diversity and population structure for improved conservation planning of Milicia excelsa tree, 212 individuals from twelve population samples covering the species' range in Benin were surveyed at seven specific microsatellite DNA loci. All loci were variable, with the mean number of alleles per locus ranging from 5.86 to 7.69. Considerable genetic variability was detected for all populations at the seven loci (AR=4.60; HE=0.811). Moderate but statistically significant genetic differentiation was found among populations considering both FST (0.112) and RST (0.342). All of the populations showed heterozygosity deficits in test of Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium and significantly positive FIS values due to inbreeding occurring in the species. Pairwise FST values were positively and significantly correlated with geographical distances (r=0.432; P=.007, Mantel's test) indicating that populations are differentiated by “isolation by distance.” Bayesian analysis of population structure showed division of the genetic variation into four clusters revealing the existence of heterogeneity in population genetic structure. Altogether, these results indicate that genetic variation in Milicia excelsa is geographically structured. Information gained from this study also emphasized the need for in situ conservation of the relict populations and establishment of gene flow corridors through agroforestry systems for interconnecting these remnant populations.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2009/210179
spellingShingle Christine Ouinsavi
Nestor Sokpon
Damase P. Khasa
Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of a Threatened African Tree Species, Milicia excelsa, Using Nuclear Microsatellites DNA Markers
International Journal of Forestry Research
title Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of a Threatened African Tree Species, Milicia excelsa, Using Nuclear Microsatellites DNA Markers
title_full Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of a Threatened African Tree Species, Milicia excelsa, Using Nuclear Microsatellites DNA Markers
title_fullStr Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of a Threatened African Tree Species, Milicia excelsa, Using Nuclear Microsatellites DNA Markers
title_full_unstemmed Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of a Threatened African Tree Species, Milicia excelsa, Using Nuclear Microsatellites DNA Markers
title_short Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of a Threatened African Tree Species, Milicia excelsa, Using Nuclear Microsatellites DNA Markers
title_sort genetic diversity and population structure of a threatened african tree species milicia excelsa using nuclear microsatellites dna markers
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2009/210179
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