Ecology and genetics of the palm Carpoxylon macrospermum from Vanuatu

An extensive survey in 1994 which visited 12 islands (Aneityum, Futuna, Tanna, Erromango, Efate, Tongoa, Epi, Malakula, Ambrym, Pentecost, Ambae and Espiritu Santo), an earlier survey on Espiritu Santo in 1993, and subsequent investigations, documented a total population of the endangered palm, Carpoxylon macrospermum, comprising 154 reproductively mature individuals, ± 145 juveniles and ± 640 seedlings. Of the mature individuals, 122 (80% of total) are known to have been planted in village/garden situations. Naturally occurring mature individuals total 32 and occur on Aneityum, Tanna and Futuna. Two populations on Aneityum and Tanna were studied in detail: the Anetchininbeke site on Aneityum was visited on 9 November 1994 and the Lown'ock site on Tanna was visited on 14 November 1995 - refer to the paper for further details.

A total of 114 seeds were collected from 26 sites on the islands Aneityum, Tanna, Malakula, Espiritu Santo and Epi. Of the 114 seeds collected, 86 (from 19 of the 26 collection sites) provided embryos that were in a fit condition for DNA extraction. Seeds from 1994 were mature, fallen seeds that had to hydrated prior to DNA extraction. Those collected in 1995 were mostly taken directly from the palms and the endosperms were still hydrated and the embryos extracted immediately upon arrival at AIMS.

Genetic variation within the population was determined by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. At only 2 (Lawn'oek and Yeruareng on Tanna) of the 19 sites sampled was any significant variation detected. Seed locations, whether from a naturally occurring population, the number of embryos from which DNA could be extracted and the numbers of seeds providing reliable RAPD patterns with each primer (AP3 to AP13) were recorded: the number of RAPD patterns produced from all seeds, with all primers, was 757.

Cluster analysis of RAPD patterns of Carpoxylon macrospermum was carried out.