Plastid DNA diversity is higher in the island endemic Guadalupe cypress than in the continental Tecate cypress.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Callitropsis guadalupensis (Guadalupe cypress) is endemic to Guadalupe Island, Mexico, where it is the dominant species of the only forest. The species has suffered declining numbers following the introduction of goats to the island over 150 years ago. Callitropsis guadalupensis is closely related to Callitropsis forbesii (Tecate cypress), distributed in small isolated populations in mainland Baja California and southern California. The objective of the present study was to compare the genetic diversity of the island endemic to the continental species.

Methodology/principal findings

We measured genetic diversity in Callitropsis guadalupensis (n =54) from Guadalupe Island and in Callitropsis forbesii (n = 100) from five populations in mainland Baja California. The

SUBMITTER: Rosas Escobar P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3024418 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature