Cristina Baldauf

Ethnobotany, Traditional Knowledge, and Diachronic Changes in Non–Timber Forest Products Management: A Case Study of Himatanthus drasticus (Apocynaceae) in the Brazilian Savanna1

Ethnobotany, Traditional Knowledge, and Diachronic Changes in Non–Timber Forest Products Management: A Case Study ofHimatanthus drasticus(Apocynaceae) in the Brazilian Savanna. The analysis of factors and processes that affect the traditional knowledge and the management practices deriving from it are essential for devising conservation strategies for non–timber forest products. The purpose of this study is to assess the traditional knowledge and analyze diachronic changes in management systems for non–timber forest products in a case study of an intensely exploited species from the Brazilian savanna, Himatanthus drasticus, commonly known as “janaguba.” Janaguba produces a latex of commercial value, widely used in popular medicine in Brazil. Recent pharmacological evidence of its medicinal properties has increased harvesting pressure on this resource. For this reason, we carried out an ethnobotanical characterization of the management systems used to harvest janaguba latex and of the traditional ecological knowledge associated with such practices. Three management systems were identified in latex harvesting, which may have varying ecological impacts on janaguba populations, depending on the amount of bark removed and the time interval between harvestings. Among the factors that can influence changes in the management systems over time are market pressure and growing demand for the product, loss of traditional knowledge, the system of land tenure, and the biological characteristics of the species, especially its high biomass regeneration capacity.Etnobotânica, conhecimento tradicional, e mudanças diacrônicas no manejo de produtos florestais não–madeireiros: Um estudo de caso deHimatanthus drasticus(Apocynaceae) na savana Brasileira. A análise dos fatores e processos que afetam o conhecimento tradicional, bem como as práticas de manejo derivadas dele, é fundamental para a elaboração de estratégias de conservação de produtos florestais não–madeireiros. O objetivo desse trabalho é acessar o conhecimento tradicional e avaliar as mudanças diacrônicas nos sistemas de manejo de produtos–florestais não–madeireiros, a partir de um estudo de caso com uma espécie altamente explorada na savana brasileira. O látex de janaguba (Himatanthus drasticus) é comercializado devido à sua ampla utilização na medicina popular no Brasil. A recente comprovação farmacológica das propriedades medicinais da espécie vem aumentando a pressão de coleta deste recurso. Foi realizada uma caracterização etnobotânica dos sistemas de manejo de látex de janaguba, bem como do conhecimento ecológico tradicional associado a estas práticas. Foi possível identificar três sistemas de manejo empregados para coleta do látex de janaguba, os quais podem ter impactos ecológicos distintos sobre as populações exploradas, uma vez que se diferenciam em função da quantidade de casca retirada e intervalos entre explorações. Entre os fatores que podem influenciar a mudança dos sistemas de manejo ao longo do tempo encontram-se a influência do mercado e crescente demanda pelo produto, a perda do conhecimento tradicional, a posse da terra e as características biológicas da espécie, especialmente sua alta capacidade de regeneração de biomassa.

Development of SSR Markers for Encholirium horridum (Bromeliaceae) and Transferability to Other Pitcairnioideae

Premise of the study: We developed a set of primers for Encholirium horridum, a species closely associated with inselbergs of the Atlantic Forest, to assess genetic diversity, genetic structure, and gene flow between populations of this species. Methods and Results: From an enriched genomic library, 10 primer pairs for polymorphic microsatellite regions were developed. The average number of alleles ranged from eight to 20, and the observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.000 to 1.000, and from 0.000 to 0.929, respectively, across the populations. Conclusions: These markers will be useful in evaluating genetic diversity, spatial genetic structure, analysis of gene flow by paternity, and characterization of mating system of E. horridum.

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in Colletotrichum acutatum, the causal agent of postbloom fruit drop on citrus

From a genomic enriched library, we developed 27 primer pairs from microsatellite flanking sequences for Colletotrichum acutatum, associated to postbloom fruit drop disease on citrus. Loci were characterized using 40 monosporic C. acutatum isolates. Nine primer pairs successfully amplified polymorphic microsatellite regions, with 3–6 alleles per locus, and mean heterozygosities ranging 0.093–0.590 across loci. The suitability of these primers was investigated in four Colletotrichum species as well. These microsatellite markers will be useful for genetic analyses and epidemiological studies of C. acutatum.

Recent Introduction and Recombination in Colletotrichum acutatum Populations Associated with Citrus Postbloom Fruit Drop Epidemics in São Paulo, Brazil

Citrus crops in São Paulo State, Brazil, have been severely affected by postbloom fruit drop disease (PFD), which is caused by Colletotrichum acutatum. This disease leads to the drop of up to 100% of young fruits. Previous studies have assumed that this pathogen exhibits a clonal reproductive mode, although no population genetic studies have been conducted so far. Thus, the genetic structure of six C. acutatum populations from sweet orange orchards showing PFD symptoms was determined using nine microsatellite markers, enabling inference on predominant mode of reproduction. C. acutatum populations exhibit a nearly panmictic genetic structure and a high degree of admixture, indicating either ongoing contemporary gene flow at a regional scale or a recent introduction from a common source, since this pathogen was introduced in Brazil only very recently. Sharing haplotypes among orchards separated by 400 km suggests the natural dispersal of fungal propagules, with the possible involvement of pollinators. A significant population expansion was detected, which was consistent with an increase in host density associated with crop expansion toward new areas across the state. Findings of moderate to high levels of haplotypic diversity and gametic equilibrium suggest that recombination might play an important role in these pathogen populations, possibly via parasexual reproduction or a cryptic sexual cycle. This study provides additional tools for epidemiological studies of C. acutatum to improve prevention and management strategies for this disease.

Characterization of microsatellite loci in Himatanthus drasticus (Apocynaceae), a medicinal plant from the Brazilian savanna

UNLABELLED PREMISE OF THE STUDY We developed a new set of microsatellite markers for studying the genome of the janaguba tree, Himatanthus drasticus (Mart.) Plumel, which is used in folk medicine in northeastern Brazil. These novel markers are being used to evaluate the effect of harvesting on the genetic structure and diversity of natural populations of this species. • METHODS AND RESULTS Microsatellite loci were isolated from an enriched H. drasticus genomic library. Nine primer pairs successfully amplified polymorphic microsatellite regions, with an average of 8.5 alleles per locus. The average values of observed and expected heterozygosity were 0.456 and 0.601, respectively. • CONCLUSIONS The microsatellite markers described here are valuable tools for population genetics studies of H. drasticus. The majority of the primers also amplified sequences in the genome of another species of the same genus. This new set of markers may be useful in designing a genetic conservation strategy and a sustainable management plan for the species.

Characterization of 10 Microsatellite Loci for Bathysa australis (Rubiaceae)

Premise of the study: Bathysa australis is a common subcanopy tree from the Atlantic Forest that is pollinated by bees and wasps and produces autochoric seeds. This species exhibits great phenotypic plasticity along the elevational gradient of Serra do Mar in southeastern Brazil. We expect to assess the genetic diversity and gene flow between populations of this species along the elevational gradient. Methods and Results: We developed a microsatellite-enriched genomic library for B. australis, and 10 microsatellite loci were successfully amplified, ranging from one to 13 alleles per locus. The observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.333 to 0.900 (average: 0.629) and 0.564 to 0.900 (average: 0.742), respectively. Conclusions: These are the first microsatellite markers developed for the genus Bathysa and may be useful in other species of the Condamineeae tribe. These primers will be an important tool for studies of population ecology and conservation genetics.