Genetic diversity and structure of wild populations of Carica papaya in Northern Mesoamerica inferred by nuclear microsatellites and chloroplast markers.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Few studies have evaluated the genetic structure and evolutionary history of wild varieties of important crop species. The wild papaya (Carica papaya) is a key element of early successional tropical and sub-tropical forests in Mexico, and constitutes the genetic reservoir for evolutionary potential of the species. In this study we aimed to determine how diverse and structured is the genetic variability of wild populations of C. papaya in Northern Mesoamerica. Moreover, we assessed if genetic structure and evolutionary history coincide with hypothetized (1) pre-Pleistocene events (Isthmus of Tehuantepec sinking), (2) Pleistocene refugia or (3) recent patterns.

Methods

We used six nuclear and two chloroplast (cp) DNA markers to assess the genetic diversity

SUBMITTER: Chavez-Pesqueira M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5155600 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature