Genetic diversity in natural populations of Buriti

ABSTRACT – This study aimed to characterize the genetic diversity of buriti populations by AFLP (Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism) markers. The analysis was performed in four populations used by traditional communities in the state of Amazonia (Bom Jesus do Anamã, Lauro Sodré, Santa Luzia do Buiçuzinho, and Esperança II). From each population 30 plants were randomly selected. To obtain the markers four primer combinations were used. The percentage of polymorphic loci was estimated, the molecular variance among and within populations analyzed and a dendrogram constructed. The primers detected 339 polymorphic loci ranging from 81.1 % to 91.1 % among populations. Analysis of molecular variance attributed 77.18 % to variation within and 22.8 % to variation between populations. The dendrogram indicated the formation of two groups, showing that the populations of Bom Jesus do Anamã and Lauro Sodré are genetically most similar and thet the genetic and geographical distances are not correlated. Key words: Genetic variability; molecular markers; palm