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

• Main Authors: Walter Antonio Boeger, Antonio Ostrensky, Renato Goldenberg, Maria Regina Torres Boeger, Marcio Pie, Maria Wilhelmina Pil
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidade Estadual de Maringá 2011-11-01
• Series: Acta Scientiarum : Biological Sciences
• Subjects: gene flow; genetic adaptation; local selection; phenotypic plasticity
• Online Access: http://www.periodicos.uem.br/ojs/index.php/ActaSciBiolSci/article/view/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 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 <em>Miconia sellowiana</em> 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 <em>M. sellowiana </em>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