Transferability of nuclear microsatellite markers to the atmospheric bromeliads Tillandsia recurvata and T. aeranthos (Bromeliaceae)

• Autor(a) principal: Chaves, Cleber Juliano Neves [UNESP]
• Data de Publicação: 2018
• Outros Autores: Aoki-Gonçalves, Felipe [UNESP], Leal, Bárbara Simões Santos [UNESP], Rossatto, Davi Rodrigo [UNESP], Palma-Silva, Clarisse [UNESP]
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Repositório Institucional da UNESP
• Texto Completo: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s40415-018-0494-4; http://hdl.handle.net/11449/189943
• topic: Cross-amplification; Epiphytes; Population genetics; SSR markers

The genus Tillandsia L. is the most diversified genus of Bromeliaceae and represents one of the most specialized cases of vascular epiphytism: the ‘atmospheric bromeliads.’ Such great diversity and ecological specialization make it an interesting model for evolutionary and population genetics studies. Here we report the cross-transferability of SSR markers isolated from other bromeliad species to Tillandsia recurvata (L.) L. and T. aeranthos (Loisel.) Desf., epiphytes with great abundance in both natural and anthropogenic-modified environments, but with contrasting patterns of geographic distribution and mating systems. We tested a total of 27 microsatellite markers and successfully amplified seven polymorphic markers in T. recurvata and T. aeranthos. We then described cross-amplified markers in two populations per species, sampled in both anthropogenic-transformed and natural environments. T. recurvata presented lower allelic richness and heterozygosities, and greater inbreeding coefficient values. Such differences clearly reflect their contrasting mating systems (self-fertilizing in T. recurvata versus self-incompatible in T. aeranthus). The set of cross-amplified microsatellite markers described here will be a helpful tool to address a range of evolutionary and ecological questions.