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Title: Population genetics of Phaedranassa cuencana Minga, C. Ulloa & Oleas (Amaryllidaceae), an endemic species of southern Ecuador

Author
item OLEAS, NORA - Universidad Technologica Indoamerica, Biocamb, Machala Y Sabarilla
item PENAFIEL, NICOLAS - Universidad Technologica Indoamerica, Biocamb, Machala Y Sabarilla
item MINGO, DANILO - Universidad Del Azuay, Facultad De Cincia Y Tecnoligia
item FRANCISCO-ORTEGA, JAVIER - Florida International University
item Meerow, Alan

Submitted to: Botany
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/30/2015
Publication Date: 8/3/2015
Citation: Oleas, N., Penafiel, N., Mingo, D., Francisco-Ortega, J., Meerow, A.W. 2015. Population genetics of Phaedranassa cuencana Minga, C. Ulloa & Oleas (Amaryllidaceae), an endemic species of southern Ecuador. Botany.

Interpretive Summary: Phaedranassa is a genus of Amaryllidaceae mostly endemic to the Northern Andes. Six out of the eight species described in Ecuador are endangered or vulnerable to extinction. Phaedranassa cuencana was first described in 2015. This species is restricted to the southern part of Ecuador, around the city of Cuenca. Several herbarium specimens collected in the southern part of Ecuador were identified as P. cinerea or P. schizantha. Thus, species boundaries are not well understood for these taxa in the area. The aim of this study is to assess the population genetic structure of Phaedranassa in Southern Ecuador. We genotyped a total of 196 individuals from ten populations with 11 microsatellites DNA markers designed previously for the genus. We also included data of populations of P. cinerea and P. schizantha. Bayesian STRUCTURE clustering analysis suggests that P. cuencana is genetically distinguishable from P. cinerea and P. schizantha. Our results provide further evidence to support the establishment of P. cuencana as a different species.

Technical Abstract: Phaedranassa is a genus of Amaryllidaceae mostly endemic to the Northern Andes. Six out of the eight species described in Ecuador are endangered or vulnerable to extinction. Phaedranassa cuencana was first described in 2015. This species is restricted to the southern part of Ecuador, around the city of Cuenca. Several herbarium specimens collected in the southern part of Ecuador were identified as P. cinerea or P. schizantha. Thus, species boundaries are not well understood for these taxa in the area. The aim of this study is to assess the population genetic structure of Phaedranassa in Southern Ecuador. We genotyped a total of 196 individuals from ten populations with 11 microsatellites loci (SSRs) designed previously for the genus. We also included data of populations of P. cinerea and P. schizantha. Bayesian STRUCTURE clustering analysis suggests that P. cuencana is genetically distinguishable from P. cinerea and P. schizantha. Our results provide further evidence to support the establishment of P. cuencana as a different species.