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Background <p>Palms of the genus <i>Euterpe</i> have multiple uses and hold great ecological and socioeconomic importance. <i>Euterpe edulis</i> is a key species in the Atlantic Forest, providing food for many animal species. The açaí palms, <i>E. oleracea</i> and <i>E. precatoria</i>, are essential in traditional Amazonian food and medicine. However, increasing demand for açaí fruit and heart-of-palm has led to the expansion of <i>E. oleracea</i> plantations into both the Amazon and the Atlantic Forest, raising concerns about hybridization and introgression among species.</p> Results <p>Using single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers, we found that putative <i>Euterpe</i> hybrids exhibit higher genomic diversity than their parental species. Population structure analyses revealed that these individuals occupy intermediate positions between species and form nearly exclusive genomic clusters. Evidence of introgression was also detected, particularly at <i>E. oleracea</i> introduction sites. Niche overlap analysis indicated that <i>E. oleracea</i> has high potential to expand into the niche of <i>E. edulis</i>, while maintaining niche stability with <i>E. precatoria</i>. Niche models further indicated broad environmental suitability for <i>E. oleracea</i> from the Atlantic Forest coast to the entire Amazon region.</p> Conclusions <p>We confirm the occurrence of hybridization and introgression among <i>Euterpe</i> species. The identification of hybridization zones between <i>E. oleracea</i> and <i>E. edulis</i> in the Atlantic Forest highlights the urgency of conservation strategies for <i>E. edulis</i>. In the Amazon, it is crucial to develop new cultivars with non-overlapping flowering and fruiting periods. Additionally, monitoring spontaneous occurrences is essential to prevent genetic contamination of natural populations.</p>

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Expansion of açaí fruit and heart-of-palm production promotes hybridization and introgression in Euterpe palms

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年12月11日

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  • Ana Flávia Francisconi,
  • Matheus Scaketti,
  • Jonathan Andre Morales-Marroquín,
  • Igor Araújo Santos de Carvalho,
  • Gabriela de Oliveira Fornazier,
  • Maurício Humberto Vancine,
  • Matheus Sartori Moro,
  • João Victor da Silva Rabelo-Araujo,
  • Santiago Linorio Ferreyra Ramos,
  • Valeria Aparecida Modolo,
  • Maria Teresa Gomes Lopes,
  • Maria Imaculada Zucchi

摘要

Background

Palms of the genus Euterpe have multiple uses and hold great ecological and socioeconomic importance. Euterpe edulis is a key species in the Atlantic Forest, providing food for many animal species. The açaí palms, E. oleracea and E. precatoria, are essential in traditional Amazonian food and medicine. However, increasing demand for açaí fruit and heart-of-palm has led to the expansion of E. oleracea plantations into both the Amazon and the Atlantic Forest, raising concerns about hybridization and introgression among species.

Results

Using single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers, we found that putative Euterpe hybrids exhibit higher genomic diversity than their parental species. Population structure analyses revealed that these individuals occupy intermediate positions between species and form nearly exclusive genomic clusters. Evidence of introgression was also detected, particularly at E. oleracea introduction sites. Niche overlap analysis indicated that E. oleracea has high potential to expand into the niche of E. edulis, while maintaining niche stability with E. precatoria. Niche models further indicated broad environmental suitability for E. oleracea from the Atlantic Forest coast to the entire Amazon region.

Conclusions

We confirm the occurrence of hybridization and introgression among Euterpe species. The identification of hybridization zones between E. oleracea and E. edulis in the Atlantic Forest highlights the urgency of conservation strategies for E. edulis. In the Amazon, it is crucial to develop new cultivars with non-overlapping flowering and fruiting periods. Additionally, monitoring spontaneous occurrences is essential to prevent genetic contamination of natural populations.