Abstract

ALVAREZ-HOLGUIN, Alan et al. Genetic structure and environmental aptitude of sideoats grama [Bouteloua curtipendula (Michx.) Torr.] populations in Chihuahua, Mexico. Rev. mex. de cienc. pecuarias [online]. 2022, vol.13, n.3, pp.830-845.  Epub Aug 22, 2022. ISSN 2448-6698.  https://doi.org/10.22319/rmcp.v13i3.5730.

Research has increasingly centered on selecting outstanding grass genotypes for grasslands restoration, although most focuses on agronomic characteristics. Little importance has been given genotype genetic structure and environmental adaptation. An analysis was done of the genetic structure and environmental suitability of sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula) populations in Chihuahua, Mexico. Fifty-one populations were evaluated through AFLP markers and analysis of their genetic structure. In a novel approach, the MaxEnt algorithm, commonly used only at the species level, was used to design models to quantify environmental aptitude of the groups generated by the genetic analysis. The STRUCTURE analysis divided the B. curtipendula populations into two different genetic groups (AMOVA; P<0.0001). Most (89 %) of the Group 1 populations are in the state’s semi-arid region while most (90 %) of the Group 2 populations are in the arid region. The MaxEnt results showed the two genetic groups to have different environmental aptitude. The climatic niche of Group 1 is mainly located in the state’s center and south, while that of Group 2 is in the center, west and northeast. Restoration programs involving B. curtipendula would benefit most from using local ecoregion-specific genotypes in areas for which they have the highest environmental aptitude.

Keywords : AFLP; Climatic niche; MaxEnt; STRUCTURE.

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