Data from: Short distance pollen dispersal and low genetic diversity in a subcanopy tropical rainforest tree, Fontainea picrosperma (Euphorbiaceae)

Gene flow via pollen movement affects genetic variation in plant
populations and is an important consideration in plant domestication.
Fontainea picrosperma is a subcanopy rainforest tree that is of commercial
interest because it is the source of tigilanol tiglate, a natural product
used for the treatment of solid tumors. We identify patterns of
pollen-mediated gene flow within natural populations of F. picrosperma and
estimate genetic parameters and genetic structure between adult and
juvenile groups using microsatellite markers. Our results show pollination
events occur over much shorter distances than reported for tropical canopy
species. At least 63 % of seeds are sired by male trees located within 30
m of the mother. On average, 27 % of the local male population contributed
to successful reproduction of F. picrosperma with most fathers siring a
single seed, however, the contributions to reproduction were uneven.
Larger male trees with more flowers had gre ater reproductive success than
those with less flowers (P < 0.05). There were comparatively low
levels of genetic variation across the species (HE = 0.405 for adult trees
and 0.379 for juveniles) and we found no loss of genetic diversity between
adult and juvenile trees. Short distance pollen flow and low genetic
diversity is theoretically a prelude to genetic impoverishment, however F.
picrosperma has persisted through multiple significant climatic
oscillations. Nevertheless, the remaining low genetic diversity is of
concern for domestication programs which require maximal genetic diversity
to facilitate efficient selective breeding and genetic improvement of this
commercially significant species.