Genomic population structure of Parkia platycephala Benth. (Leguminosae) from Northeastern Brazil

Parkia platycephala Benth. is a native species with high nutritional and ecological potential that is used in forest recovery and restoration. However, studies on the diversity and population genetic structure of this species are limited. Therefore, 5036 nucleotide polymorphism loci (resulting from genotyping by sequencing) were used to investigate the diversity and population structure of P. platycephala in two localities of Northeast Brazil. One of the evaluated areas comprised the Conservation Unit, Sete Cidades National Park, the other location consisted of the trees located around the park. A high level of genetic diversity was found for both populations, with similar values of expected heterozygosity (H-E = 0.29), showing the existence of a considerable level of genetic variation. Analysis of molecular variance revealed that most of the diversity (99.06%) was distributed within populations. The results of the genetic structuring indicated little divergence between the plants, suggesting that the evaluated groups could be considered a single population. Few loci under selection (outliers) were identified; thus, no significant evidence of adaptive divergence was found. The results indicate that P. platycephala trees inside and outside the Conservation Unit maintain high genetic diversity, which has potential for use in breeding programs and for the production of seedlings for forest restoration. Furthermore, the importance of the Sete Cidades National Park for in situ conservation of this species is highlighted.

Automated summary

P. platycephala in Northeast Brazil exhibits high genetic diversity, with little divergence between populations. The species has potential for forest restoration and conservation, and the Sete Cidades National Park plays a crucial role in in situ conservation of this species.