CONSERVATION OF Dimorphandra mollis Benth. (FABACEAE) BASED ON THE GENETIC STRUCTURE OF NATURAL POPULATIONS

Dimorphandra mollis is a native species of Cerrado and has high economic value due to the active compound Rutin present in its fruit, which has made it a target of intense commercial exploitation. Some proposals to minimize the negatives genetic/physiological effects of exploitation have been proposed, but little is known about the ecology or genetic structure of natural populations of this species. To delineate conservation programs, it is necessary to elucidate the levels of genetic variation in local natural populations. The genetic variability was assessed using ten allozyme loci. The genetic structure of the species was carried out using a sample of 180 individuals distributed in three natural populations located in the North of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The results showed a high level of genetic diversity within the species ((H)over cap (e)= 0.463). Analysis of genetic structure indicated that most of the genetic variability of D. mollis is within its natural populations with low difference among populations ((0)over cap (p)=0.025). Inbreeding within the populations ((f) over cap = -0.018) and among them ((F) over cap = 0.007) was insignificant. Gene flow among populations was (N) over capm = 4.0, indicating to be enough to prevent the effects of genetic drift. The high genetic diversity index in these populations indicates potential for in situ genetic conservation and management. Management strategies for this species should take into consideration the effective population size in order to keep the high levels of genetic variability observed and allow natural regeneration in the areas.