Genetic diversity assessed in individuals of Aspidosperma polyneuron and Cariniana estrellensis used as seed donors in an forest gene bank

Background The neotropical tree species Aspidosperma polyneuron and Cariniana estrellensis, known as peroba-rosa and jequitibá-branco respectively, are characteristic of late secondary semideciduous Atlantic forest in submontane formation. Their wood is widely used for carpentry and construction. Increasing logging, intensive agriculture and urban expansion placed A. polyneuron in the Red List of Threatened Species [http://www.iucnredlist.org/ apps/redlist/details/32023/0] while C. estrellensis is considered an endangered species. So, in situ conservation of these forest species is critical while ex situ collections as gene banks is an important complementary approach. Our study assessed and compared the genetic diversity of A. polyneuron and C. estrellensis in two stands aiming to provide subsidies for the ex situ conservation of these important genetic resources.