Estimating genetic diversity, mating system and pollen dispersal to inform <i>ex situ</i> conservation of the tree <i>Genipa americana</i> L.

Abstract Using microsatellite loci, we assessed the mating system and genetic diversity of dioecious tropical tree Genipa americana in a natural population (NP) progeny test (PT). For NP, also estimated paternity correlation within among fruits mean pollen dispersal distance. As expected for species, all offspring originated from outcrossing ( t = 1). Mating relatives (1 − s ) r p were variable progenies 0.03–0.19; 0.04–0.40), but greater NP than PT. Fixation index F was generally significant lower adults offspring, indicating selection against inbred individuals. Paternity higher (0.40) (0.26) fruits, effective number donors N ep (2.5) (3.8) fruits. Due to size e (2.69) PT (3.27). The pattern strongly leptokurtic, suggesting long-distance (mean 179 m). results show that both populations can be used seed collection environmental reforestation programmes; however, considering is structured maternal progenies, more suitable due probability related trees.