Ecology

Research from S. Caetano et al Broadens Understanding of Molecular Ecology

  2012 AUG 10 (VerticalNews) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Ecology, Environment & Conservation -- Current study results on Molecular Ecology have been published. According to news reporting out of Chambesy, Switzerland, by VerticalNews editors, research stated, "This study puts together genetic data and an approximate bayesian computation (ABC) approach to infer the time at which the tree Geoffroea spinosa colonized the Galapagos Islands. The genetic diversity and differentiation between Peru and Galapagos population samples, estimated using three chloroplast spacers and six microsatellite loci, reveal significant differences between two mainland regions separated by the Andes mountains (Inter Andean vs. Pacific Coast) as well as a significant genetic differentiation of island populations."

  Our news journalists obtained a quote from the research, "Microsatellites identify two distinct geographical clusters, the Galapagos and the mainland, and chloroplast markers show a private haplotype in the Galapagos. The nuclear distinctiveness of the Inter Andean populations suggests current restricted pollen flow, but chloroplast points to cross-Andean dispersals via seeds, indicating that the Andes might not be an effective biogeographical barrier. The ABC analyses clearly point to the colonization of the Galapagos within the last 160,000 years and possibly as recently as 4750 years ago (475 generations). Founder events associated with colonization of the two islands where the species occurs are detected, with Espanola having been colonized after Floreana."

  According to the news editors, the researchers concluded: "We discuss two nonmutually exclusive possibilities for the colonization of the Galapagos, recent natural dispersal vs."

  For more information on this research see: Recent colonization of the Galapagos by the tree Geoffroea spinosa Jacq. (Leguminosae). Molecular Ecology, 2012;21(11):2743-60. (Wiley-Blackwell - www.wiley.com/; Molecular Ecology - onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1365-294X)

  Our news journalists report that additional information may be obtained by contacting S. Caetano, Plant Systematics and Biodiversity Laboratory, Molecular Phylogeny and Genetics Unit, Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques, 1 Chemin de l'Imperatrice, CP 60, CH-1292 Chambesy, Geneve, Switzerland.

  Keywords for this news article include: Europe, Chambesy, Switzerland, Molecular Ecology.

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