Abstract
Jubaea chilensis (Molina)Baill., also named Chilean palm, is an
endemic species found in the coastal area of Mediterranean
sclerophyllous forest in Chile. It has a highly restricted and
fragmented distribution along the coast, being under intense
exploitation and anthropogenic impact. Based on 1,038 SNP markers, we
evaluated the genetic diversity and population structure among sixJ. chilensis natural groups. We observed low levels of genetic
diversity (overall HE = 0.024 andHO =0.014), a deficit of heterozygotes, and high
levels of inbreeding (mean FIS = 0.424), with
little or no random mating. All Wright fixation index and Nei’s genetic
distance pairwise comparisons indicated moderate differentiation among
populations, with a tendency to similarity. There was no evidence of
isolation by distance (r =-0.214, P =0.799). In the
cluster analysis, we observed a closer relationship among Culimo,
Cocalán and Candelaria populations. The K value that best represented
the spatial distribution of genetic diversity was ∆K =3. Habitat
fragmentation and deterioration of the sclerophyllous forest may have
driven inbreeding and low levels of genetic diversity in the palm groves
of J. chilensis , putting the persistence of present and future
populations at risk. In this scenario, it is imperative to reclassifyJ. chilensis as an endangered species, as well as a Natural
Monument, in order to improve conservation efforts, the species
management, and the environmental protection Also, the preservation of
genetically different individuals may increase the overall genetic
variability required to sustain the species persistence in the context
of climate change and anthropogenic disturbance.
Keywords . Jubaea chilensis , SNP, Genetic diversity,
Population structure, Natural Monument.