POPULATION STRUCTURE OF ACROCOMIA ACULEATA IN CENTRAL AMERICA: GENOMIC DIVERSITY AND BIOGEOGRAPHIC PATTERNS OF AN OPEN-CANOPY PALM

Central America is one of the five global plant diversity hotspots. Recent research has highlighted the importance of Central American biodiversity and provided new insights into the evolutionary history and community formation of palm species in the region. Focusing on the gene pool of Acrocomia aculeata in Central America, this region has a historically neglected genetic diversity. This study presents the first approach using GBS (ddRAD-Seq) to explore the genomic diversity and biogeographic patterns of A. aculeata across Central America, using SNP markers. A total of 259 samples were collected from Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. Our results revealed three main genomic groups: Mesoamerican, Costa Rican, and Panamanian, each with distinct subpopulations and varying levels of genetic diversity. The Mesoamerican group exhibited the highest genetic diversity and distinct variation, possibly reflecting historical migration routes from South America. Biogeographic barriers such as the Nicaraguan Depression and the Talamanca mountains influenced the genetic diversity of A. aculeata in Central America. The biodiversity patterns in the region reflect geological connections between North and South America. Ecological niche modeling highlighted the suitability of lowland areas for the species. These findings are crucial for the conservation and improvement of the species, aiming to preserve genetic diversity and the resilience of A. aculeata populations across its range.