Relationships between population density, fine-scale genetic structure, mating system and pollen dispersal in a timber tree from African rainforests

摘要: Owing to the reduction of population density and/or environmental changes it induces, selective logging could affect demography, reproductive biology and evolutionary potential forest trees. This is particularly relevant in tropical forests where natural densities can be low isolated trees may subject outcross pollen limitation produce low-quality selfed seeds that exhibit inbreeding depression. Comparing processes genetic diversity populations at different provide indirect evidence impacts logging. Here, we analysed patterns diversity, mating system gene flow three Central African self-compatible legume timber species Erythrophleum suaveolens with contrasting (0.11, 0.68 1.72 adults per ha). The comparison levels among cohorts suggests selfing detrimental as inbred individuals are eliminated between seedling adult stages. Levels rates (∼16%) spatial structure (Sp ∼0.006) were similar all populations. However, extent dispersal differed markedly populations: average distance increased decreasing (from 200 m high-density 1000 m low-density one). Overall, our results suggest not affected by current practices. further investigations need conducted evaluate (1) whether reduce seed production (2) regeneration species.