Genetic diversity and mating system of <i>Euterpe precatoria</i> in three localities along the lower Solimões River in Central Amazonia

Abstract Euterpe precatoria is a Neotropical palm from South and Central America hyperdominant in Amazonia, where it increasingly important the Brazilian market for açaí. Genetic diversity, population structure mating system of E. were characterized with 10 microsatellite markers three localities (Codajás, Manacapuru, Manaquiri) along lower Solimões River, Amazonas, Brazil. Leaves 63 mature palms collected, as well fruits 30 these to analyze 20 seedlings per progeny. differentiation across was substantial ( G S ′ = 0.304) palms, suggesting that gene flow restricted between due isolation by distance. Inbreeding significant progenies all populations (ranging 0.059–0.076), but not selection heterozygosity during maturation adult stage. The outcrossing rate high (0.917–1.0), confirming species predominantly allogamous. Matings random occurrence biparental inbreeding (0.021–0.079) correlated matings (0.059–0.424), so open-pollinated present mixtures self-sibs, half-sibs, full-sibs, self-half-sibs, resulting mean effective size within (2.23–3.06) than expected population. system’s characteristics are those allogamous hyper-abundant suggest human management often-anthropogenic unlikely reduce genetic diversity short term if done situ , practiced Indigenous Peoples local communities. Intensification will require careful attention maintain diversity.