A Comparative Genetic Analysis of <i>Phoenix atlantica</i> in Cape Verde
Sonia Sarmiento Cabello,
Priscila Rodríguez-Rodríguez,
Guacimara Arbelo Ramírez,
Agustín Naranjo-Cigala,
Leticia Curbelo,
Maria de Monte da Graca Gomes,
Juliana Brito,
Frédérique Aberlenc,
Salwa Zehdi-Azouzi,
Pedro A. Sosa
Affiliations
Sonia Sarmiento Cabello
Instituto Universitario de Estudios Ambientales y Recursos Naturales (IUNAT), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Campus Universitario de Tafira, 35017 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
Priscila Rodríguez-Rodríguez
Instituto Universitario de Estudios Ambientales y Recursos Naturales (IUNAT), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Campus Universitario de Tafira, 35017 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
Guacimara Arbelo Ramírez
Instituto Universitario de Estudios Ambientales y Recursos Naturales (IUNAT), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Campus Universitario de Tafira, 35017 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
Agustín Naranjo-Cigala
Instituto Universitario de Estudios Ambientales y Recursos Naturales (IUNAT), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Campus Universitario de Tafira, 35017 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
Leticia Curbelo
Instituto Universitario de Estudios Ambientales y Recursos Naturales (IUNAT), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Campus Universitario de Tafira, 35017 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
Maria de Monte da Graca Gomes
Direção Geral Da Agricultura Silvicultura e Pecuaria e Delegação do Ministerio da Agricultura e Ambiente do Sal e da Boavista, Praia, Cape Verde
Juliana Brito
Direção Geral Da Agricultura Silvicultura e Pecuaria e Delegação do Ministerio da Agricultura e Ambiente do Sal e da Boavista, Praia, Cape Verde
Frédérique Aberlenc
Plant Diversity, Adaptation and Development, Université de Montpellier, Institut de Recherche pour Développement, Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement, 911 Av. Agropolis, BP 64501, 34394 Montpellier CEDEX 5, France
Salwa Zehdi-Azouzi
Laboratoire de Génétique Moléculaire, Faculté des Sciences de Tunis, Immunologie et Biotechnologie (LR99ES12), Université de Tunis El Manar, Campus Universitaire Farhat Hached, Tunis 1068, Tunisia
Pedro A. Sosa
Instituto Universitario de Estudios Ambientales y Recursos Naturales (IUNAT), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Campus Universitario de Tafira, 35017 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
The Cape Verde palm tree, Phoenix atlantica, holds significant ecological and cultural importance within the Cape Verde archipelago. However, its genetic distinctiveness has been questioned due to its close relationship and morphological similarity to the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera). In this study, we used an expanded sample set, 18 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, and a plastid minisatellite to characterize P. atlantica in Cape Verde and investigate its relationship with other Phoenix species. Our findings identify genetic markers that differentiate the P. atlantica genetic pool, including a unique fixed allele. We also provide evidence of the recent divergence of P. atlantica from Northern African date palm populations, suggesting a relatively recent colonization of Cape Verde by palm trees. Additionally, we characterized the genetic composition of palm tree populations across three Cape Verde islands, concluding that wild samples from certain populations in Boavista and Sal are best suited for establishing a seed and/or germplasm bank for replantation efforts, representing a crucial step for the conservation of Cape Verde’s natural heritage. Overall, our results enhance the understanding of the historical trajectories and genetic characterization of palm trees in Africa, offering valuable insights for conservation strategies.
