<b>Testing hypotheses for morphological differences among populations of <i>Miconia sellowiana</i> (Melastomataceae) in southern Brazil</b> - doi: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v34i1.7580

Micona sellowiana in different types of vegetation (Grassland, Montane Atlantic forest, Upper Montane Atlantic forest and Araucaria Pine forest). Although such variability could be due to phenotypic plasticity, an alternative explanation for this phenomenon is the existence of genetic differentiatio...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Maria Wilhelmina Pil, Maria Regina Torres Boeger, Marcio Pie, Renato Goldenberg, Antonio Ostrensky, Walter Antonio Boeger
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Universidade Estadual de Maringá 2011-06-01
Series:Acta Scientiarum: Biological Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://periodicos.uem.br/ojs/index.php/ActaSciBiolSci/article/view/7580
Description
Summary:Micona sellowiana in different types of vegetation (Grassland, Montane Atlantic forest, Upper Montane Atlantic forest and Araucaria Pine forest). Although such variability could be due to phenotypic plasticity, an alternative explanation for this phenomenon is the existence of genetic differentiation among populations resulting from genetic drift or adaptation to different environments. The goal of the present study was to investigate the extent of genetic structures among populations of Miconia sellowiana using a neutral dominant genetic marker (RAPD - Random Amplification of Polymorphic DNA). There was considerable variability in the studied samples, resulting in 96.5% polymorphic loci and a Gst = 0.13. The analysis of molecular variance showed the populations are genetically structured (p < 0.001). The subpopulations of M. sellowiana were grouped similarly together using genetic (based on a neutral marker) or morphological dendrograms, suggesting that the morphological differences observed are the result of local genetic differentiation by genetic drift and not the alleged phenotypic plasticity of the species
ISSN:1679-9283
1807-863X