Using niche centrality within the scope of the nearly neutral theory of evolution to predict genetic diversity in a tropical conifer species-pair

Aim: Estimating genetic diversity is key for understanging biogeographic and evolutionary processes. However, gathering genetic information is not feasible for all taxa or populations, particularly in the tropical regions. Identifying proxies for inferring such values has thus become essential. Here, we built on the niche centrality hypothesis (NCH; or central-abundance hypothesis) and the nearly neutral theory of evolution (NNT) to identify some of such proxies using a montane tropical conifer species-pair as model. The NCH predicts more genetic diversity under optimal ecological conditions, which should also allow for more efficient purifying selection, according to the NNT.

Location: The Transmexican Volcanic Belt, central Mexico.

Taxa: A fir species-pair endemic to central Mexico, Abies flinckii and A. religiosa.

Methods: We estimated patterns of genetic diversity from nuclear SSRs (A, HE), and gene-coding sequences (πS, πN), together with the efficacy of purifying selectio...