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Mugula BB, Omondi SF, Curto M, Kiboi SK, Kanya JI, Egeru A, Okullo P, Meimberg H. Microsatellites reveal divergence in population genetic diversity, and structure of osyris lanceolata (santalaceae) in Uganda and Kenya. BMC Ecol Evol 2023; 23:73. [PMID: 38062381 PMCID: PMC10704637 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-023-02182-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Osyris lanceolata (Hochst. & Steud.) (Santalaceae) is a multipurpose plant highly valued culturally and economically in Africa. However, O. lanceolata populations have rapidly dwindled in East Africa due to overexploitation and this is believed to cause further consequences on the species' genetic diversity and structure within the region. Information regarding a species' genetic diversity and structure is necessary for conservation but this is currently lacking for O. lanceolata in Uganda and Kenya. Lack of adequate scientific data hinders conservation efforts hence threatening the species survival and livelihoods. This study investigated patterns in genetic diversity and structure of O. lanceolata in Uganda and Kenya. Ten polymorphic microsatellite loci were used to genotype 210 individuals: 96 from Ugandan and 114 from Kenyan populations. RESULTS All populations were highly polymorphic (80-100% polymorphism). A genetic differentiation was found between Kenyan and Ugandan populations. The highest genetic differentiation was among individuals and the least among populations. The Kenyan populations showed higher genetic diversity than Ugandan populations. The Ugandan populations showed more marker deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and inbreeding coefficient. Two populations showed evidence of going through a recent bottleneck. There was significant genetic differentiation and structuring at higher K values into larger clusters and observed admixture between populations. The populations were significantly isolated by altitude as opposed to distance and climatic variables. Main barriers were associated with altitude differences. The data supports the idea of long-distance gene-flow between high altitude populations in both countries. CONCLUSION The divergence in genetic structure suggests unrecognised taxonomic units within O. lanceolata which are characteristic to lower altitudes and higher altitudes including most Kenyan populations with divergent evolutionary patterns. Geographical barriers and environmental gradients could have influenced this genetic divergence, and such patterns may escalate the species microevolutionary processes into full allopatric speciation. Further investigations into the species' genetic admixture and emerging taxonomic units are necessary to guide conservation strategies in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Belden Mugula
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya.
- Department of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bugema University, Kampala, Uganda.
- Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Research, Institute of Integrative Nature Conservation Research, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria.
| | - S F Omondi
- Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI), Nairobi, Kenya.
| | - Manuel Curto
- CIBIO-Research Center in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, University of Porto, Vairão, 4485-661, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, Vairão, 4485-661, Portugal
| | - Samuel Kuria Kiboi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - James Ireri Kanya
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Anthony Egeru
- College of Environmental and Agricultural Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Paul Okullo
- Nabuin Zonal Agricultural Research & Development Institute, National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), P.O. Box 132, Moroto, Uganda
| | - Harald Meimberg
- Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Research, Institute of Integrative Nature Conservation Research, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
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