Climate changes effects on the genetic structure of a savanna tree species

Abstract

Background and aims: Climatic uctuations can act as main agents in species di- versi cation and extinction processes, directly impacting Earth's biota. The present study explores the relationship between climatic variations and genetic structure of Eugenia dysenterica, a Brazilian savanna tree species. Methods: A fuzzy set based integrative analysis called HaploVectors was used in order to analize variables correlation with haplotypes turnover and divergence. Key Results: Analyses revealed that the genetic di erentiation in Eugenia dysen- terica southeast populations can be explained by past pluviosity variations and mid-Holocene suitability. Conclusions: The present study shows that climatic variations impact the mi- croevolution of a E.dysenterica, supporting that human in uence on future climate is likely to a ect the genetic structure of this and other Cerrado plants.