Biology subjects

Duminil, J.

Publications and source records attributed to Duminil, J..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Influence of past climate changes and human-mediated introduction on patterns of genetic diversity distribution of the Papuan nutmeg (Myristica argentea) Warb.

Understanding the distribution of genetic diversity of endemic food tree species holds significant importance for conservation planning and the formulation of effective management strategies. Natural and anthropogenic factors can influence species geographic range and distribution of genetic diversity. Here, we tested the relative influence of barriers to gene flow (rivers, mountains and past climate change) and recent human activities on the evolutionary history of an endemic species from Fakfak district, Papua Island, Myristica argentea Warb (Myristicaceae), better known as Papuan nutmeg. Myristica argentea is a spice tree species used by local populations since centuries/millennia. The species has been introduced in other locations from the region. Fourteen microsatellite markers (nSSRs), whole chloroplast (cp) genome, and nuclear-targeted sequence genes (nrDNA sequence) were used to characterize the genetic diversity, population structure, and demographic history of the species across its distribution range (native and introduced populations). We found that native populations of the species in Fakfak present higher levels of genetic diversity than introduced populations. We further detected the presence of a moderate genetic structure (FST = 0.143), and the presence of three intraspecific genetic clusters. Additionally, our findings indicate that population fragmentation within the native range of the species in Fakfak, may have been influenced by the presence of riparian networks, mountain ranges and by Pleistocene climatic fluctuations. Our results suggest that all introduced populations were sourced mainly from the native population of Raduria, in the South of Fakfak region. Given the population genetic variation across the ranges of Papuan nutmeg, management plans should not treat them as single populations, but rather consider the broader genetic diversity within its range.

evolutionary biology↗

bioRxiv2020

Trees and their seed networks: the social dynamics of urban fruit trees and implications for genetic diversity

Trees are a traditional component of urban spaces where they provide ecosystem services critical to urban wellbeing. In the Tropics, urban trees seed origins have rarely been characterized. Yet, understanding the social dynamics linked to tree planting is critical given their influence on the distribution of associated genetic diversity. This study examines elements of these dynamics (seed exchange networks) in an emblematic indigenous fruit tree species from Central Africa, the African plum tree (Dacryodes edulis, Burseraceae), within the urban context of Yaounde. We further evaluate the consequences of these social dynamics on the distribution of the genetic diversity of the species in the city. Urban trees were planted predominantly using seeds sourced from outside the city, resulting in a level of genetic diversity as high in Yaounde as in a whole region of production of the species. Debating the different drivers that foster the genetic diversity in planted urban trees, the study argued that cities and urban dwellers can unconsciously act as effective guardians of indigenous tree genetic diversity.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2019

Population genomics of the widespread African savannah trees Afzelia africana and Afzelia quanzensis (Caesalpinioideae, Fabaceae) reveals no significant past fragmentation of their distribution ranges

Few studies have addressed the evolutionary history of tree species from African savannahs at large geographic scales, particularly in the southern hemisphere (Zambezian region). Afzelia (Fabaceae: Caesalpinioideae) contains economically important timber species, including two species widely distributed in African savannahs: A. africana in the Sudanian region and A. quanzensis in the Zambezian region. To characterize the population genetic diversity and structure of these two species across their distribution ranges, we used nuclear microsatellites (simple sequence repeats, SSRs) and genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) markers. Six SSR loci were genotyped in 241 A. africana and 113 A. quanzensis individuals, while 2,800 and 3,841 high-quality single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified in 30 A. africana and 12 A. quanzensis individuals, respectively. Both species appeared to be outcrossing (selfing rate ~ 0%). The spatial genetic structure was consistent with isolation-by-distance expectations based on both SSR and SNP data, suggesting that gene dispersal is spatially restricted in both species (bLd (SSR)= -0.005 and -0.007 and bLd (SNP)= -0.008 and -0.006 for A. africana and A. quanzensis, respectively). Bayesian clustering of SSR genotypes failed to identify genetic structure within species. In contrast, SNP data resolved intraspecific genetic clusters in both species, illustrating the higher resolving power of GBS at shallow levels of divergence. However, the clusters identified by SNPs revealed low levels of differentiation and no clear geographical entities. These results suggest that, although gene flow has been restricted over short distances in both species, populations have remained connected throughout the large, continuous Savannah landscapes. The absence of clear phylogeographic discontinuities, also found in a few other African savannah trees, indicates that their distribution ranges have not been significantly fragmented during past climate changes, in contrast to patterns commonly found in African rainforest trees.

plant biology↗