Genetic and clonal diversity of the endemic ant-plant Humboldtia brunonis (Fabaceae) in the Western Ghats of India.

摘要: Humboldtia brunonis (Fabaceae, Caesalpinioideae) is a dominant self-incompatible ant-plant or myrmecophyte, growing as an understorey tree in high-density patches. It endemic to the biodiversity hotspot of southern Western Ghats India and, besides ants, harbours many invertebrate taxa, such bees that pollinate it well arboreal earthworms, within swollen hollow stem internodes called domatia. Using inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers, three geographically separated populations were found be multiclonal, characterized by high levels clonal diversity. Values for Simpson diversity index ranged between 0.764 and 0.964, Fager’s evenness 0.00 0.036 neighbourhoods populations. This myrmecophyte was combine sexual recruitment (66.7%) production (33.3%) methods reproduction. Moderate amounts genetic at species level observed, with 52.63% polymorphism, moderate values Shannon’s (0.1895) Nei’s gene (0.1186). In each population, observed genotypic significantly lower than expected, indicating significant structure. Neighbour-joining trees demonstrated Agumbe, which most northern population examined twice far away from other two populations, grouped separately larger bootstrap support cluster consisting Sampaji Solaikolli are closer geographically. Some showed spatial structure even small scales <5 m. A combination clonality short-distance pollen movement pollinating (Braunsapis puangensis) coupled primary ballistic seed dispersal, possible secondary dispersal rodents, may contribute scales. The H. factor contributes its dominance Ghat forests where supports rich fauna.