Contrasting patterns of genetic diversity between two endangered palms with overlapping distributions, Voanioala gerardii (Arecoideae) and Lemurophoenix halleuxii (Arecoideae), from North-east Madagascar

Alison Shapcott; Jane Quinn; M Rakotoarinivo; J Dransfield

doi:10.1007/s10592-012-0382-6

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Contrasting patterns of genetic diversity between two endangered palms with overlapping distributions, Voanioala gerardii (Arecoideae) and Lemurophoenix halleuxii (Arecoideae), from North-east Madagascar

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Contrasting patterns of genetic diversity between two endangered palms with overlapping distributions, Voanioala gerardii (Arecoideae) and Lemurophoenix halleuxii (Arecoideae), from North-east Madagascar

Alison Shapcott, Jane Quinn, M Rakotoarinivo and J Dransfield

Conservation Genetics, Vol.13(5), pp.1393-1408

2012

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-012-0382-6

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Abstract

endangered palms

harvesting

restoration

dispersal

gene flow

rainforest

Madagascar has a high diversity of endemic palm species and the Masoala Peninsula is a hotspot for their diversity. Several species are critically endangered and their populations known to be in decline due to a combination of land clearance, destructive harvesting for heart of palm and potentially unsustainable commercial seed collection. The critically endangered Voanioala gerardii and the endangered Lemurophoenix halleuxii are two palm species from monospecific genera endemic to Madagascar that overlap in their distribution within this region. This project undertook field surveys of all known populations of these two species to document their population sizes and locations. We modelled their area of potentially suitable habitat within the region and undertook genetic analysis to investigate genetic diversity and relatedness among populations of each species. The study found overlapping but contrasting patterns of potential habitat. It also found contrasting levels and patterns of genetic diversity between the two species that were not consistent with the modelled habitat distributions. We found that Voanioala gerardii populations are critically small but contain unexpectedly high levels of genetic diversity, which may indicate as yet undiscovered populations remaining. An active program to change methods of seed collection and to involve local villagers and land managers in the conservation of these species would be required to prevent their extinction.

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Title: Contrasting patterns of genetic diversity between two endangered palms with overlapping distributions, Voanioala gerardii (Arecoideae) and Lemurophoenix halleuxii (Arecoideae), from North-east Madagascar
Authors: Alison Shapcott (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Jane Quinn (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
M Rakotoarinivo (Author) - Kew Madagascar Conservation Centre, Madagascar
J Dransfield (Author) - Royal Botanic Gardens, United Kingdom
Publication details: Conservation Genetics, Vol.13(5), pp.1393-1408
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Date published: 2012
DOI: 10.1007/s10592-012-0382-6
ISSN: 1566-0621
Organisation Unit: School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; GeneCology Research Centre - Legacy; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Centre for Bioinnovation
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450377702621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Biodiversity Conservation; Genetics & Heredity