Fragmentation and spatial genetic structure in Tabebuia ochracea (Bignoniaceae) a seasonally dry Neotropical tree

In this study we investigate the effect of fragmentation and disturbance on the spatial genetic structure, heterozygosity and inbreeding in Tabebuia ochracea (Bignoniaceae) in a seasonally Neotropical dry forest in the medium São Francisco River basin, Centre-East Brazil, based on the polymorphism at seven microsatellite loci. Four populations with different histories of disturbance and fragmentation were sampled: two continuous population (CP1 and CP2), with no history of recent disturbance and two fragmented and isolated population (FP1 and FP2), with recent history of disturbance due to logging for pasture establishment. Fragmented and continuous populations did not differ in any estimated parameter. However, all populations showed low levels of polymorphism and genetic diversity and high levels of inbreeding. Also, no spatial genetic structure was detected for populations using SPAGeDI software and no differentiation between these four populations was detected by Bayesian analyses performed with STRUCTURE software (K = 1). Differentiation measure by Wright's θ (0.032) and Hedrick GST (0.032) were significant but low. Our results strongly suggest that continuous populations are seed sources for the fragmented populations and that fragmentation and disturbance have been affecting these populations of T. ochracea in the Centre-East Brazil, leading to low levels of polymorphism and genetic diversity, and high inbreeding. Therefore, conservation efforts should increase in this region, with a reduction of agriculture expansion and the remove of cultivated areas and cattle from the Mata Seca and Lagoa do Cajueiro State Parks.