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Genetic diversity of Colobanthus quitensis across the Drake Passage

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 August 2013

Ian S. Acuña-Rodríguez*
Affiliation:
Centro de Estudios Avanzados en Zonas Áridas (CEAZA), Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Católica del Norte, Coquimbo, Chile Departamento de Biología, Universidad de La Serena, La Serena, Chile
Rómulo Oses
Affiliation:
Centro de Estudios Avanzados en Zonas Áridas (CEAZA), Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Católica del Norte, Coquimbo, Chile
Jorge Cortés-Vasquez
Affiliation:
Laboratorio de Genómica y Biodiversidad, Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad del Bío-Bío, Chillán, Chile
Cristian Torres-Díaz
Affiliation:
Laboratorio de Genómica y Biodiversidad, Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad del Bío-Bío, Chillán, Chile
Marco A. Molina-Montenegro
Affiliation:
Centro de Estudios Avanzados en Zonas Áridas (CEAZA), Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Católica del Norte, Coquimbo, Chile
*
*Corresponding author. E-mail: ian.acuna@ceaza.cl

Abstract

The Drake Passage arises as a likely route for gene flow into Antarctica, as it is the shortest path between this continent and the rest of the world. Despite this, long-distance dispersion into Antarctica could be particularly complex for terrestrial biota. To compare the levels of genetic diversity between Antarctic and South American populations of the Antarctic pearlwort, Colobanthus quitensis, we conducted the first estimation of genetic diversity in this species using amplified fragment length polymorphism. Four populations across the Drake Passage were selected and their genetic composition was characterized. Differences among the levels of genetic diversity were found between the populations analysed as well as between their allelic identities. However, interestingly, their spatial distribution across the Drake Passage suggests a north-to-south gradient of increasing genetic diversity.

Type
Short Communications
Copyright
Copyright © NIAB 2013 

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