Studies on the genetic diversity of species with pharmacological potential are essential for the conservation of genetic resources. The genetic characterization of a species can guide efforts to collect and conserve germplasm and, in the future, genetic improvement. Domestic cultivation of medicinal plants is an important strategy for protecting these species from over harvesting. Genetic studies of medicinal species by molecular markers could allow for assessment and management of these species. Croton urucurana Baill. is widely used in Brazilian traditional medicine, but there are practically no data about its genetic patterns. We used 12 ISSR markers to evaluate the genetic diversity levels of 30 trees distributed in three populations of C. urucurana, two of which were located in Brazilian savanna (Cerrado) and one on semi-deciduous tropical forest areas. From a total of 82 bands recorded, 89% were polymorphic and presented a Shannon’s diversity index of 0.26. The populations formed two distinct groups: Two populations were divided each into a different genetic group, while the Aquidauana population, which is in a transition area between the Cerrado and the Pantanal, presented a mixture of the two genetic groups. Croton urucurana has GST values (0.200) similar to those found in species with a mixed mating system, but the lack of detailed studies on the reproductive system of this species makes it difficult to correctly interpret the origin of the population structure observed. Moreover, even using a simpler marker we were able to identify regions that deserve further studies, especially from a chemical point of view, to see whether there are any differences between the populations that could help in defining future conservation strategies, management and genetic improvement plans of the species.

中文翻译：

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Croton urucurana Baill 的遗传多样性和种群结构。（大戟科）在巴西中部的 ISSR 标记

研究具有药理学潜力的物种的遗传多样性对于遗传资源的保护至关重要。物种的遗传特征可以指导收集和保存种质的努力，以及未来的遗传改良。药用植物的国内种植是保护这些物种免于过度采伐的重要策略。通过分子标记对药用物种进行遗传研究可以评估和管理这些物种。巴豆 urucurana Baill。广泛用于巴西传统医学，但几乎没有关于其遗传模式的数据。我们使用 12 个 ISSR 标记来评估分布在 C. urucurana 三个种群中的 30 棵树的遗传多样性水平，其中两个位于巴西稀树草原（塞拉多），一个位于半落叶热带森林地区。从总共记录的 82 个带中，89% 是多态的，香农多样性指数为 0.26。这些种群形成了两个不同的群体：两个种群被分成不同的遗传组，而位于塞拉多和潘塔纳尔湿地之间的过渡区的 Aquidauana 种群则是两种遗传组的混合体。Croton urucurana 的 GST 值 (0.200) 与具有混合交配系统的物种相似，但由于缺乏对该物种生殖系统的详细研究，因此很难正确解释所观察到的种群结构的起源。此外，即使使用更简单的标记，我们也能够确定值得进一步研究的区域，