Genomics and conservation genetics of populations of juçara (Euterpe edulis Martius)aiming management

Abstract

The juçara palm (Euterpe edulis Martius) is considered a keystone species in the Atlantic forest biome to be an important food source for many species of frugivores. This species also has a high economic value, the product is more important non-timber forest exploited in the Atlantic. Despite the high potential of this species for use as model for sustainable management plans, the exploitation of palm heart led to degradation and declining natural populations. Nowadays, more attention is being given to the use of the fruits of juçara as a sustainable alternative to the use of this species, the plant by this system does not need to be cut, furthermore, during the process of obtaining a pulp, a large amount of viable seeds can be utilized to increase and recovery of E. edulis populations. Thus, this project aims to assess the structure and genetic variability in populations of E. edulis in conservation areas and in areas with different intensities of management in the Serra do Mar. For this, we will use microsatellite markers and SNPs based on technical RAD-seq (Restriction-site Associated DNA Sequencing), using this technique you can generate new data on genomic scale and determine the basis of adaptive genetic variation in populations of E. edulis. With all this information, it is intended to check the impact of the use of fruit handled in structure and genetic variability of managed populations of this species, well as the possible potential of using seeds generated in the extraction of the pulp for reintroduction of the species, in order to generate information for the development of projects that encourage genetic enrichment of this species in the Atlantic forest.