Conservation genetics of the wild cotton Gossypium turneri: a species threatened by tourism-driven coastal development in Sonora, Mexico

Karla Fabiola Yescas Romo, Fernando Razo Mendivil, Corina Hayano Kanashiro & Francisco Molina Freaner

Te invitamos a leer el artículo "Conservation genetics of the wild cotton Gossypium turneri: a species threatened by tourism-driven coastal development in Sonora, Mexico" publicado en "Conservation Genetics" en el que colaboró Fernando Razo Mendividl de Cinvestav Irapuato.

Autores:

Karla Fabiola Yescas Romo, Fernando Razo Mendivil, Corina Hayano Kanashiro & Francisco Molina Freaner

Resumen:

Crop wild relatives (CWR) are an important class of endangered wild species that are increasingly declining due to human-induced factors that also threaten other wild plants. This class of species has not received sufficient attention in conservation strategies and remains poorly studied. This holds true for the endangered wild cotton Gossypium turneri, which is endemic to the state of Sonora, Mexico. This species faces threats from disturbance associated with tourism-driven coastal development and requires urgent conservation actions. This study aimed to assess the genetic diversity and population structure of G. turneri using genotyping by sequencing (GBS) to offer insights into its conservation. Clustering and genetic structure analysis revealed three distinct genetic groups and potential populations. Observed (HO) and expected (HE) heterozygosity, along with genetic differentiation (FST) values, indicated moderate genetic diversity and differentiation. Effective population sizes (Ne) varied from 18 to 32, whereas census population sizes (Nc) ranged from 62 to 883 adult plants. Among the three inferred populations, the southernmost population exhibited the highest number of private alleles and allelic differences, making it a conservation priority due to its potential reservoir of genetic variation. Recommendations include seed collection for ex-situ conservation in Botanical Gardens for the three populations. For in-situ conservation, different measures should be implemented according to the level of human disturbance affecting each population. These include restricting further coastal development in less disturbed areas and promoting G. turneri as an ornamental plant in the most impacted population to enhance its survival.