Abstract Detail

Genetics Section

Thompson, Kim [1], Zumberger, Alex [1], Culley, Theresa [2], Lentz, David [3].

Discerning historic impacts on the genetic variation and structure in Manilkara zapota (Sapotaceae).

Manilkara zapota (L.) P. Royen (Sapotaceae) has enormous ecological and socio-economic value as a fruit, timber and latex producer in neotropical forests. It has been hypothesized that M. zapota was cultivated by the ancient Maya and, although this possibility has been supported by ethnographic and paleoethnobotanical data, genetic approaches were employed to discern whether ancient Maya cultivation efforts were evident in modern populations. Using nuclear microsatellite markers, we characterized the genetic diversity and population genetic structure in populations of M. zapota from three ancient Maya sites and compared our data to studies of other tree species. Levels of genetic variation were similar to other neotropical trees without a history of cultivation. Low levels of population substructuring between sites 90 km apart are attributed to highdensity and gene flow. We suggest several explanations for an observed heterozygosity deficiency reflecting historic bottleneck events, including episodes of deforestation over the past two millennia.

Broader Impacts:

1 - University of Cincinnati, Biological Sciences, Rieveschl Hall, Cincinnati, OH, 45221-0006, USA
2 - University of Cincinnati, Department of Biological Sciences, 614 Rieveschl Hall, Cincinnati, OH, 45221-0006, USA
3 - University of Cincinnati, Biological Sciences, PO Box 210006, Cincinnati, OH, 45221, USA

Keywords:
Manilkara zapota
Ancient Maya
Neotropics
population genetics.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Sections
Session: 6
Location: Marlborough B/Riverside Hilton
Date: Monday, July 29th, 2013
Time: 9:30 AM
Number: 6004
Abstract ID:788
Candidate for Awards:Margaret Menzel Award