Climate Suitability, Genetic Variability, and Geometric Morphometric, insights into Campomanesia xanthocarpa in the Atlantic Forest

Resumen

Myrteae lineages exhibit an uneven distribution of biodiversity, particularly in species per genus within Myrtaceae, which plays a crucial role in diverse ecosystems such as the Atlantic Forest. The genera Campomanesia, Eugenia, and Psidium are highly diverse within this family. Campomanesia xanthocarpa, native to Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, and Uruguay, holds significant potential for research and value as a forest resource. This study evaluates its climatic suitability, genetic variability, and leaf geometric morphometrics. Using 703 occurrence records from databases and 145 field collections, ecological niche modeling analyses identified temperature seasonality, precipitation during the driest month, and precipitation of the driest quarter as key factors influencing climatic suitability. Digitized images were subjected to geometric morphometric analyses, revealing significant leaf morphology variation (5.5–12 × 2.3–7.6 cm), associated with environmental heterogeneity. DNA extractions from field samples were tested using nuclear (ITS) and plastid (PsbA-trnH and matK) markers, with genetic variation analyses currently ongoing. The Atlantic Forest has consistently provided a suitable habitat for C. xanthocarpa. Environmental heterogeneity contributes to observed leaf morphology variation, underscoring the species' conservation importance. Integrating evolutionary, ecological, and genetic studies is essential for understanding the evolutionary history of C. xanthocarpa and ensuring the preservation of its habitat.

Citation: Barrientos-Díaz, O., Báez-Lizarazo, M. B., Anversa Segatto, A. L., Reginato, M. & Turchetto-Zolet, A. C. 2025. Climate Suitability, Genetic Variability, and Geometric Morphometric, insights into Campomanesia xanthocarpa in the Atlantic Forest. Revista Jard. Bot. Nac. Univ. Habana 46(Número especial 1): 104.

Trabajo presentado en el XIII Congreso Latinoamericano de Botánica. Sesión Biodiversidad y Conservación.