Genetic diversity between and within populations of Handroanthus heptaphyllus (Vell.) Mattos using microsatellite markers

Handroanthus heptaphyllus (Vell.) Mattos, popularly known as ipê-roxo, is a species of the family Bignoneaceae much appreciated for its beauty, excellent quality wood which is used for making medicinal products and also in reforestation programs of degraded areas, as well as landscaping and restoration. The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic diversity between and within populations of H. heptaphyllus using microsatellite markers. The 192 seedlings were produced from seeds collected on 30 trees into the two populations of natural forest fragments in Botucatu region, São Paulo, Brazil. Eight microsatellite loci were analyzed, with allelic polymorphism varying from six alleles for locus TAU22 to 14 alleles for loci TAU12, TAU30, and TAU31, with an expected mean number of alleles per locus (Âe) of 4.9. The mean expected heterozygosity(Ĥe) for the two populations was 0.785, the mean observed heterozygosity(Ĥo) was 0.609, and the fixation index (^F) was low between populations, with a mean of 0.222. The gene differentiation between the two populations (Ĝst') was 0.100. We concluded that the higher genetic diversity is within populations; therefore, as far as germplasm collection programs in Botucatu region are concerned, it is recommended that a larger sampling of individuals should be considered within populations, thereby providing good genetic representativeness. The populations have enough genetic diversity to support genetic improvement and germplasm preservation programs. Handroanthus heptaphyllus (Vell.) Mattos, popularmente conhecida por ipê-roxo, é uma espécie pertencente à família Bignoneaceae, muito apreciada por sua beleza, madeira de excelente qualidade e utilizada em produtos medicinais e programas de reflorestamento de áreas degradadas, paisagismo e restauração. Neste trabalho, objetivou-se estudar a diversidade genética entre e dentro das populações de H. heptaphyllus por meio de marcadores microssatélites. Foram estudadas 192 plântulas, formadas a partir de sementes colhidas de duas populações, em um total de 30 árvores, de fragmentos florestais naturais na região de Botucatu - SP. Foram analisados oito locos microssatélites, com polimorfismo alélico, variando de seis alelos para o loco TAU22 a 14 alelos para os locos TAU12, TAU30 e TAU31, com número efetivo médio de alelos por loco (Âe) igual a 4,9. As médias para a heterozigosidade esperada (Ĥe), para as duas populações foi de 0,785, a heterozigosidade observada (Ĥo)foi de 0,609