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Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Acacia senegal (L) Willd. in Kenya

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Abstract

The level of genetic diversity and population structure of Acacia senegal variety kerensis in Kenya was examined using seven polymorphic nuclear microsatellite loci and two chloroplast microsatellite loci. In both chloroplast and nuclear datasets, high levels of genetic diversity were found within all populations and genetic differentiation among populations was low, indicating extensive gene flow. Analysis of population structure provided support for the presence of two groups of populations, although all individuals had mixed ancestry. Groups reflected the influence of geography on gene flow, with one representing Rift Valley populations whilst the other represented populations from Eastern Kenya. The similarities between estimates derived from nuclear and chloroplast data suggest highly effective gene dispersal by both pollen and seed in this species, although population structure appears to have been influenced by distributional changes in the past. The few contrasts between the spatial patterns for nuclear and chloroplast data provided additional support for the idea that, having fragmented in the past, groups are now thoroughly mixed as a result of extensive gene flow. For the purposes of conservation and in situ management of genetic resources, sampling could target a few, large populations ideally distributed among the spatial groups identified. This should ensure the majority of extant variation is preserved, and facilitate the investigation of variation in important phenotypic traits and development of breeding populations.

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Abbreviations

ASAL:

Arid and semi-arid lands

RAPD:

Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA

ISSR:

Inter-simple sequence repeats

HWE:

Hardy–Weinburg Equilibrium

PCR:

Polymerase chain reaction

DNA:

Deoxyribonucleic acid

IAM:

Infinite alleles model

SMM:

Stepwise mutation model

TPM:

Two-phase mutation model

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Acknowledgements

This work was funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT) through Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) in the framework of a Graduate Student Exchange Program (GSEP) for SFO, a Marie Curie Fellowship (ASGEN, No. 39216) at CEH for DWO and the ACACIAGUM project (EC FP6 contract 032233, http://inco-acaciagum.cirad.fr/). We thank Mr John Gicheru of KEFRI for helping in sample collection and Andre Gagne of Forestry research centre, Université Laval for coordinating the acquisition of research materials and all the colleges at the informatiqué office, Université Laval for their advice and support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Forestry and Wood Science Technology, Moi University, P.O Box 1125, Eldoret, Kenya

    Stephen F. Omondi & Eliud Kireger

  2. Department of Biological sciences, Moi University, P.O Box 1125, Eldoret, Kenya

    Otto G. Dangasuk

  3. Kenya Forestry Research Institute, P.O Box 20412-00200, Nairobi, Kenya

    Stephen F. Omondi, Ben Chikamai & David W. Odee

  4. NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian, EH26 0QB, UK

    David W. Odee & Stephen Cavers

  5. Centre for Forest Research (CEF), Canada Research Chair in Forest and Environmental Genomics, Faculty of Forestry and Geomatics, Pavillon Eugene Marchand, Université Laval, Sainte-Foy, Québec, Canada, G1K 7P4

    Damase P. Khasa

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  1. Stephen F. Omondi
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Omondi, S.F., Kireger, E., Dangasuk, O.G. et al. Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Acacia senegal (L) Willd. in Kenya. Tropical Plant Biol. 3, 59–70 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12042-009-9037-2

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