Microsatellites reveal divergence in population genetic diversity, and structure of osyris lanceolata (santalaceae) in Uganda and Kenya
Abstract Background Osyris lanceolata (Hochst. & Steud.) (Santalaceae) is a multipurpose plant highly valued culturally and economically in Africa. However, O. lanceolata populations have rapidly dwindled in East Africa due to overexploitation and this is believed to cause further consequences o...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-12-01
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| Series: | BMC Ecology and Evolution |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12862-023-02182-2 |
| _version_ | 1797398246020087808 |
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| author | Ben Belden Mugula S. F. Omondi Manuel Curto Samuel Kuria Kiboi James Ireri Kanya Anthony Egeru Paul Okullo Harald Meimberg |
| author_facet | Ben Belden Mugula S. F. Omondi Manuel Curto Samuel Kuria Kiboi James Ireri Kanya Anthony Egeru Paul Okullo Harald Meimberg |
| author_sort | Ben Belden Mugula |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Osyris lanceolata (Hochst. & Steud.) (Santalaceae) is a multipurpose plant highly valued culturally and economically in Africa. However, O. lanceolata populations have rapidly dwindled in East Africa due to overexploitation and this is believed to cause further consequences on the species’ genetic diversity and structure within the region. Information regarding a species’ genetic diversity and structure is necessary for conservation but this is currently lacking for O. lanceolata in Uganda and Kenya. Lack of adequate scientific data hinders conservation efforts hence threatening the species survival and livelihoods. This study investigated patterns in genetic diversity and structure of O. lanceolata in Uganda and Kenya. Ten polymorphic microsatellite loci were used to genotype 210 individuals: 96 from Ugandan and 114 from Kenyan populations. Results All populations were highly polymorphic (80–100% polymorphism). A genetic differentiation was found between Kenyan and Ugandan populations. The highest genetic differentiation was among individuals and the least among populations. The Kenyan populations showed higher genetic diversity than Ugandan populations. The Ugandan populations showed more marker deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and inbreeding coefficient. Two populations showed evidence of going through a recent bottleneck. There was significant genetic differentiation and structuring at higher K values into larger clusters and observed admixture between populations. The populations were significantly isolated by altitude as opposed to distance and climatic variables. Main barriers were associated with altitude differences. The data supports the idea of long-distance gene-flow between high altitude populations in both countries. Conclusion The divergence in genetic structure suggests unrecognised taxonomic units within O. lanceolata which are characteristic to lower altitudes and higher altitudes including most Kenyan populations with divergent evolutionary patterns. Geographical barriers and environmental gradients could have influenced this genetic divergence, and such patterns may escalate the species microevolutionary processes into full allopatric speciation. Further investigations into the species’ genetic admixture and emerging taxonomic units are necessary to guide conservation strategies in the region. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T01:22:51Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-cd11e8fac6584671ac09ae4c64a14c14 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2730-7182 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T01:22:51Z |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Ecology and Evolution |
| spelling | doaj.art-cd11e8fac6584671ac09ae4c64a14c142023-12-10T12:04:38ZengBMCBMC Ecology and Evolution2730-71822023-12-0123111510.1186/s12862-023-02182-2Microsatellites reveal divergence in population genetic diversity, and structure of osyris lanceolata (santalaceae) in Uganda and KenyaBen Belden Mugula0S. F. Omondi1Manuel Curto2Samuel Kuria Kiboi3James Ireri Kanya4Anthony Egeru5Paul Okullo6Harald Meimberg7Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of NairobiKenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI)CIBIO—Research Center in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, University of PortoDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of NairobiDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of NairobiCollege of Environmental and Agricultural Sciences, Makerere UniversityNabuin Zonal Agricultural Research & Development Institute, National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO)Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Research, Institute of Integrative Nature Conservation Research, University of Natural Resources and Life SciencesAbstract Background Osyris lanceolata (Hochst. & Steud.) (Santalaceae) is a multipurpose plant highly valued culturally and economically in Africa. However, O. lanceolata populations have rapidly dwindled in East Africa due to overexploitation and this is believed to cause further consequences on the species’ genetic diversity and structure within the region. Information regarding a species’ genetic diversity and structure is necessary for conservation but this is currently lacking for O. lanceolata in Uganda and Kenya. Lack of adequate scientific data hinders conservation efforts hence threatening the species survival and livelihoods. This study investigated patterns in genetic diversity and structure of O. lanceolata in Uganda and Kenya. Ten polymorphic microsatellite loci were used to genotype 210 individuals: 96 from Ugandan and 114 from Kenyan populations. Results All populations were highly polymorphic (80–100% polymorphism). A genetic differentiation was found between Kenyan and Ugandan populations. The highest genetic differentiation was among individuals and the least among populations. The Kenyan populations showed higher genetic diversity than Ugandan populations. The Ugandan populations showed more marker deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and inbreeding coefficient. Two populations showed evidence of going through a recent bottleneck. There was significant genetic differentiation and structuring at higher K values into larger clusters and observed admixture between populations. The populations were significantly isolated by altitude as opposed to distance and climatic variables. Main barriers were associated with altitude differences. The data supports the idea of long-distance gene-flow between high altitude populations in both countries. Conclusion The divergence in genetic structure suggests unrecognised taxonomic units within O. lanceolata which are characteristic to lower altitudes and higher altitudes including most Kenyan populations with divergent evolutionary patterns. Geographical barriers and environmental gradients could have influenced this genetic divergence, and such patterns may escalate the species microevolutionary processes into full allopatric speciation. Further investigations into the species’ genetic admixture and emerging taxonomic units are necessary to guide conservation strategies in the region.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12862-023-02182-2Genetic diversityPopulation geneticsGenetic differentiationOsyris lanceolataPopulation bottlenecks |
| spellingShingle | Ben Belden Mugula S. F. Omondi Manuel Curto Samuel Kuria Kiboi James Ireri Kanya Anthony Egeru Paul Okullo Harald Meimberg Microsatellites reveal divergence in population genetic diversity, and structure of osyris lanceolata (santalaceae) in Uganda and Kenya BMC Ecology and Evolution Genetic diversity Population genetics Genetic differentiation Osyris lanceolata Population bottlenecks |
| title | Microsatellites reveal divergence in population genetic diversity, and structure of osyris lanceolata (santalaceae) in Uganda and Kenya |
| title_full | Microsatellites reveal divergence in population genetic diversity, and structure of osyris lanceolata (santalaceae) in Uganda and Kenya |
| title_fullStr | Microsatellites reveal divergence in population genetic diversity, and structure of osyris lanceolata (santalaceae) in Uganda and Kenya |
| title_full_unstemmed | Microsatellites reveal divergence in population genetic diversity, and structure of osyris lanceolata (santalaceae) in Uganda and Kenya |
| title_short | Microsatellites reveal divergence in population genetic diversity, and structure of osyris lanceolata (santalaceae) in Uganda and Kenya |
| title_sort | microsatellites reveal divergence in population genetic diversity and structure of osyris lanceolata santalaceae in uganda and kenya |
| topic | Genetic diversity Population genetics Genetic differentiation Osyris lanceolata Population bottlenecks |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12862-023-02182-2 |
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