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21 December 2021 No Evidence of Low Genetic Diversity Despite High Levels of Inbreeding and Poor Genetic Connectivity among Tetrastigma loheri (Vitaceae) Populations in Remaining Forest Areas in Cebu, Philippines
Jasper John A. Obico, Hemres Alburo, Julie F. Barcelona, Marie Hale, Lisa Paguntalan, Tammy Steeves, Pieter B. Pelser
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Abstract

Little is known about the effects of habitat fragmentation on the patterns of genetic diversity and genetic connectivity of species in the remaining tropical forests of Southeast Asia. This is particularly evident in Cebu, a Philippine island that has a long history of deforestation and has lost nearly all of its forest cover. To begin filling this gap, data from 13 microsatellite loci developed for Tetrastigma loheri (Vitaceae), a common vine species in Philippine forests, were used to study patterns of genetic diversity and genetic connectivity for the four largest of the remaining forest areas in Cebu. Evidence of relatively high levels of inbreeding was found in all four areas, despite no evidence of low genetic diversity. The four areas are genetically differentiated, suggesting low genetic connectivity. The presence of inbreeding and low genetic connectivity in a commonly encountered species such as T. loheri in Cebu suggests that the impact of habitat fragmentation is likely greater on rare plant species with more restricted distributions in Cebu. Conservation recommendations for the remaining forest areas in Cebu include the establishment of steppingstone corridors between nearby areas to improve the movement of pollinators and seed dispersers among them.

© Copyright 2021 by the American Society of Plant Taxonomists
Jasper John A. Obico, Hemres Alburo, Julie F. Barcelona, Marie Hale, Lisa Paguntalan, Tammy Steeves, and Pieter B. Pelser "No Evidence of Low Genetic Diversity Despite High Levels of Inbreeding and Poor Genetic Connectivity among Tetrastigma loheri (Vitaceae) Populations in Remaining Forest Areas in Cebu, Philippines," Systematic Botany 46(4), 951-961, (21 December 2021). https://doi.org/10.1600/036364421X16370109698614
Published: 21 December 2021
KEYWORDS
deforestation
microsatellites
Southeast Asia
steppingstone corridors
tropical forest
vine
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