Identification and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci in Mortiño (Vaccinium floribundum Kunth)

Abstract:

Mortiño (Vaccinium floribundum Kuth) is a perennial shrub from the Ericaceae family. This wild species is endemic to the high Andes of South America, and is found exclusively at altitudes between 1400 masl and 4350 masl. Mortiño plants produce edible berries which hold a special ethnobotanic significance for indigenous and rural communities, related to their use in ceremonial beverages, medicinal preparations and other food preparations. The species is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN, mainly due to the fragmentation of its habitat. This prompts the need for genetic diversity and population structure studies, which can provide valuable information about a species and aid in the development of conservation and sustainable agriculture strategies. However, genetic studies are limited and molecular tools are not yet expanded in mortiño. In this study, we identify and characterize six polymorphic microsatellite loci as tools for future genetic analysis. The six loci show allelic richness values of 3-8 alleles per locus, observed PIC values ranging from 0.36 to 0.69, and expected heterozygosity values from 0.41 to 0.72. These species-specific polymorphic microsatellite markers will be used for the genetic characterization of V. floribundum populations across the Ecuadorian highlands. Mortiño (Vaccinium floribundum Kunth)(Fig 1.) is a native, wild diploid species from the high Andes of South America. It is distributed in Perú, Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela, mainly in mountainous zones between 1400 and 4350 masl, where temperatures range from 8 to 16 C (also known as páramos). In Ecuador, this plant is spread across the highland region …

Año de publicación:

2017

Keywords:

Fuente:

google