High genomic structuring in Euterpe precatoria in the Brazilian Amazônia and new implications for restoration and...

The palm Euterpe precatoria (Mart.), one of the most widely distributed species in the Amazon basin, plays a crucial role for traditional riverine communities. It thrives in nutrient-poor, well-drained soils, important traits for forest restoration. Additionally, the species is extensively exploited for açaí extraction. We sampled 23 natural geographic populations in the Brazilian states of Amazonas and Rondônia, characterizing them using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. We divided the dataset into putatively neutral and outlier SNPs (under selection) to estimate genomic diversity and structure. To identify potential causes of selective pressure, we explored the factors that may have contributed to the differences and similarities between the two datasets. Our results suggest that anthropogenic pressure may be impacting the species' genomic diversity. We also found significant population structure, likely shaped by limited gene flow influenced by river flow and anthropogenic activity. Based on these patterns, we propose that sampling at least 35 individuals per site across 18 localities to capture the species' genomic diversity. The genomic groups identified here should guide future conservation actions, such as germplasm banking, and restoration efforts.