Clonal Reproduction and Low Genetic Diversity in Northern Australian Santalum lanceolatum (Santalaceae) Populations Highlights the Need for Genetic Rescue of This Commercially Significant Species

Aaron Brunton; David J Lee; Gabriel Conroy; Steven Ogbourne

doi:10.3390/f12060741

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Clonal Reproduction and Low Genetic Diversity in Northern Australian Santalum lanceolatum (Santalaceae) Populations Highlights the Need for Genetic Rescue of This Commercially Significant Species

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Clonal Reproduction and Low Genetic Diversity in Northern Australian Santalum lanceolatum (Santalaceae) Populations Highlights the Need for Genetic Rescue of This Commercially Significant Species

Aaron Brunton, David J Lee, Gabriel Conroy and Steven Ogbourne

Forests, Vol.12(6), pp.1-19

2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/f12060741

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Abstract

clonal

microsatellites

genetic variation

population genetics

sandalwood

vegetative reproduction

Genetic diversity and the extent of clonality in a plant species can significantly influence its reproductive success. Whilst clonality can be an effective life-history strategy, in harsh environments it can lead to low levels of diversity and sexual reproductive failure. Santalum lanceolatum (Santalaceae) is a hemi-parasitic shrub endemic to the monsoonal dry tropics of northern Australia, which was harvested for its oil-rich heartwood from natural populations in Cape York, Australia. Despite wild harvesting ending over 70 years ago, populations in the region are currently declining. The aims of this study were to examine genetic variation, population genetic structure, inbreeding and clonality of six S. lanceolatum populations from this northern margin of the species range. Analyses of twelve microsatellite markers showed S. lanceolatum had low genetic diversity (AR = 2.776, HE = 0.409), evidence of regional differentiation (FST = 0.307–0.424) and negligible inbreeding levels (F = −0.052). Clonality investigations revealed 135 genets among 200 samples, suggesting that the clonal structure of S. lanceolatum may be limiting the potential for sexual reproduction and natural recruitment. We recommend a conservation strategy involving genetic rescue to prevent the further decline and potential local extinction from a variety of environmental pressures and human activities.

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Title: Clonal Reproduction and Low Genetic Diversity in Northern Australian Santalum lanceolatum (Santalaceae) Populations Highlights the Need for Genetic Rescue of This Commercially Significant Species
Authors: Aaron Brunton (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and Engineering
David J Lee (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Forest Industries Research Centre
Gabriel Conroy (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, GeneCology Research Centre - Legacy
Steven Ogbourne (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, GeneCology Research Centre - Legacy
Publication details: Forests, Vol.12(6), pp.1-19
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date published: 2021
DOI: 10.3390/f12060741
ISSN: 1999-4907
Copyright note: Copyright: © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Organisation Unit: Tropical Forests and People Research Centre; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Forest Industries Research Centre; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Forest Research Institute; Centre for Bioinnovation
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99548407002621
Output Type: Journal article

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