Data from: Genetic variation and structure in the neotropical tree, Manilkara zapota (L) P. Royen (Sapotaceae) used by the ancient Maya

Manilkara zapota is a tropical tree species that was used by the ancient
Maya in construction of their temples and as a source for fruit. Although
this has been supported by ethnographic and paleoethnobotanical data, we
used genetic approaches to estimate variation and structure in modern
populations of this neotropical tree species to discern if genetic
patterns were consistent with earlier influences of ancient Maya
management or if they could be explained by the natural history of the
species. Nine microsatellite markers, consisting of seven novel markers
and two markers identified in a related species, were used to characterize
the genetic diversity and population genetic structure in three
populations of M. zapota collected from reforested, historically urbanized
ancient Maya ceremonial centers in Guatemala and Belize, from home gardens
in Guatemala, and from a number of cultivars. Levels of genetic variation
were slightly higher in forest populations (H O = 0.447) than in gardens
(0.430) and cultivated varieties of M. zapota (0.351). We observed low but
significant population substructuring (θ = 0.01) between sites 90 km
apart, and minimal evidence of inbreeding. Substantial levels of genetic
diversity with minimal genetic structure in M. zapota are consistent with
movement of the ancient Maya as they possibly carried fruits and seedlings
during immigration, but they may more likely reflect natural processes
such as seed and pollen being dispersed widely throughout the tropical
forest.