Genetic Diversity and Conservation of <i>Bomarea ovallei</i> (Phil.) Ravenna: Microsatellite Markers Reveal Population Vulnerability in the Atacama Desert
The Atacama Desert, the driest and oldest desert on Earth, hosts a unique floral phenomenon known as the Desierto Florido (Flowering Desert), which occurs sporadically in response to rare rainfall events. <i>Bomarea ovallei</i> (Phil.) Ravenna is an endemic and endangered species of the...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-05-01
|
| Series: | Plants |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/10/1468 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850256583041220608 |
|---|---|
| author | Valeska Rozas-Lazcano Mariel Mamani-Gómez Irina Rojas-Jopia Mariana Arias-Aburto Roberto Contreras-Díaz |
| author_facet | Valeska Rozas-Lazcano Mariel Mamani-Gómez Irina Rojas-Jopia Mariana Arias-Aburto Roberto Contreras-Díaz |
| author_sort | Valeska Rozas-Lazcano |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The Atacama Desert, the driest and oldest desert on Earth, hosts a unique floral phenomenon known as the Desierto Florido (Flowering Desert), which occurs sporadically in response to rare rainfall events. <i>Bomarea ovallei</i> (Phil.) Ravenna is an endemic and endangered species of the Atacama Desert. However, its populations are geographically restricted and potentially vulnerable to genetic erosion due to isolation and extreme environmental conditions. This study aims to assess the genetic diversity of <i>B. ovallei</i> populations and develop microsatellite markers using next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology. A total of 268 microsatellite loci were identified, and 34 co-dominant markers were successfully developed for the first time in <i>B. ovallei</i>. Genetic diversity analysis using eight fluorescently labeled SSR markers revealed low genetic diversity across four populations, with the highest diversity observed in the QCA population, located within Llanos de Challe National Park, and the lowest in the TOTO population, which is highly exposed to anthropogenic activities. UPGMA and STRUCTURE analyses revealed three genetic clusters and high admixture among populations, suggesting historical or ongoing gene flow despite geographical separation. The presence of non-polymorphic loci and low PIC values in some markers further supports limited genetic variation. The newly developed microsatellite markers offer a valuable tool for future genetic studies, enabling the monitoring of genetic diversity and informing strategies for the preservation of this rare and ecologically significant species. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4e2f4a850cb442e59800f3d9c6d2f764 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2223-7747 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Plants |
| spelling | doaj-art-4e2f4a850cb442e59800f3d9c6d2f7642025-08-20T01:56:35ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472025-05-011410146810.3390/plants14101468Genetic Diversity and Conservation of <i>Bomarea ovallei</i> (Phil.) Ravenna: Microsatellite Markers Reveal Population Vulnerability in the Atacama DesertValeska Rozas-Lazcano0Mariel Mamani-Gómez1Irina Rojas-Jopia2Mariana Arias-Aburto3Roberto Contreras-Díaz4Departamento de Medicina, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Atacama, Copiapó 1532000, ChileDepartamento de Medicina, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Atacama, Copiapó 1532000, ChileDepartamento de Medicina, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Atacama, Copiapó 1532000, ChileComplejo Tecnológico de Aprendizaje, Universidad de Atacama, Copiapó 1532000, ChileCentro Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Sustentable de Atacama (CRIDESAT), Universidad de Atacama, Copiapó 1532000, ChileThe Atacama Desert, the driest and oldest desert on Earth, hosts a unique floral phenomenon known as the Desierto Florido (Flowering Desert), which occurs sporadically in response to rare rainfall events. <i>Bomarea ovallei</i> (Phil.) Ravenna is an endemic and endangered species of the Atacama Desert. However, its populations are geographically restricted and potentially vulnerable to genetic erosion due to isolation and extreme environmental conditions. This study aims to assess the genetic diversity of <i>B. ovallei</i> populations and develop microsatellite markers using next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology. A total of 268 microsatellite loci were identified, and 34 co-dominant markers were successfully developed for the first time in <i>B. ovallei</i>. Genetic diversity analysis using eight fluorescently labeled SSR markers revealed low genetic diversity across four populations, with the highest diversity observed in the QCA population, located within Llanos de Challe National Park, and the lowest in the TOTO population, which is highly exposed to anthropogenic activities. UPGMA and STRUCTURE analyses revealed three genetic clusters and high admixture among populations, suggesting historical or ongoing gene flow despite geographical separation. The presence of non-polymorphic loci and low PIC values in some markers further supports limited genetic variation. The newly developed microsatellite markers offer a valuable tool for future genetic studies, enabling the monitoring of genetic diversity and informing strategies for the preservation of this rare and ecologically significant species.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/10/1468genetic diversity<i>Bomarea</i> genusFlowering Desert |
| spellingShingle | Valeska Rozas-Lazcano Mariel Mamani-Gómez Irina Rojas-Jopia Mariana Arias-Aburto Roberto Contreras-Díaz Genetic Diversity and Conservation of <i>Bomarea ovallei</i> (Phil.) Ravenna: Microsatellite Markers Reveal Population Vulnerability in the Atacama Desert Plants genetic diversity <i>Bomarea</i> genus Flowering Desert |
| title | Genetic Diversity and Conservation of <i>Bomarea ovallei</i> (Phil.) Ravenna: Microsatellite Markers Reveal Population Vulnerability in the Atacama Desert |
| title_full | Genetic Diversity and Conservation of <i>Bomarea ovallei</i> (Phil.) Ravenna: Microsatellite Markers Reveal Population Vulnerability in the Atacama Desert |
| title_fullStr | Genetic Diversity and Conservation of <i>Bomarea ovallei</i> (Phil.) Ravenna: Microsatellite Markers Reveal Population Vulnerability in the Atacama Desert |
| title_full_unstemmed | Genetic Diversity and Conservation of <i>Bomarea ovallei</i> (Phil.) Ravenna: Microsatellite Markers Reveal Population Vulnerability in the Atacama Desert |
| title_short | Genetic Diversity and Conservation of <i>Bomarea ovallei</i> (Phil.) Ravenna: Microsatellite Markers Reveal Population Vulnerability in the Atacama Desert |
| title_sort | genetic diversity and conservation of i bomarea ovallei i phil ravenna microsatellite markers reveal population vulnerability in the atacama desert |
| topic | genetic diversity <i>Bomarea</i> genus Flowering Desert |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/10/1468 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT valeskarozaslazcano geneticdiversityandconservationofibomareaovalleiiphilravennamicrosatellitemarkersrevealpopulationvulnerabilityintheatacamadesert AT marielmamanigomez geneticdiversityandconservationofibomareaovalleiiphilravennamicrosatellitemarkersrevealpopulationvulnerabilityintheatacamadesert AT irinarojasjopia geneticdiversityandconservationofibomareaovalleiiphilravennamicrosatellitemarkersrevealpopulationvulnerabilityintheatacamadesert AT marianaariasaburto geneticdiversityandconservationofibomareaovalleiiphilravennamicrosatellitemarkersrevealpopulationvulnerabilityintheatacamadesert AT robertocontrerasdiaz geneticdiversityandconservationofibomareaovalleiiphilravennamicrosatellitemarkersrevealpopulationvulnerabilityintheatacamadesert |