# Biodiversity, Genetics and Genomics of plant species in Ecuador ###### tags: `research talks` by Maria de Lourdes Torres #### 1. Assessing Genetic Diversit of Ilex guayusa Loes., a Medicinal Plant from teh Ecuadorian Amazon *Ilex guayusa*: small tree or shrub, used for a long time by humans (tea (caffeine), medicine, considered "magical" by natives) distributed across all three regions of Ecuador low overall genetic diversity, but high genotypic diversity (71 multilocus genotypes) Population structure: geographic distances not correlated to genetic distance, but rather isolated by environmental model (temperature seasonality and isothermality) #### 2. Characterizing the genetic diversity of andean blueberry across *Andean blueberry (vaccinium floribundum*): woody shrub, adapted to high altitude ecosystems ("paramo"). Berries are popular, used in traditional drinks and high in antioxidants. BUT the paramo ecosystem is at risk. High genetic diversity, 4 clusters of population structure, 3 that are correlated with geographic distance. 4th cluster is all from individuals collected at high altitudes. Also has the lowest genetic diversity and lowest gene flow. Interested in adaptation to high altitude! #### 3. Microbiome of the Andean blueberry rhizosphere Objective: influence of soil and plant genotype in the composition and diversity of the microbiome in the blueberry rhizosphere (the region of soil around the roots) ### Introduction of Invasive Species in the Galapagos #### 4. Origin and dispersion pathways of guava in tehe Galapagos Islands inferred through genetics and historical records *Guava (Psidium guajava)* - invasive species but there is a closely related species endemic to the islands. Proposed a model of direction of invasion of this new species and how it relates to historical human colionization #### 5. Local extinction of an endemic Galapagos tree species by reproductive interference #### 6. Introgression shapes fruit color convergence in invasive Galapagos tomato