Genetic analysis of 118 Nypa fruticans individuals from seven coastal regions across Mindanao, Bohol, Luzon and Palawan found moderate expected diversity (He=.584–.719) but lower observed heterozygosity (mean Ho=.376 vs He=.666; F=.431). Two broadly admixed clusters and asymmetric inferred flow identified Palawan as a recipient and western Luzon as a network node.
Key findings
- Site He ranged .584–.719; mean Ho=.376 was below He=.666, with F=.431. Variance was partitioned 43% among individuals within populations and 48% within individuals. K=2 showed broad admixture, with Palawan inferred as a recipient and western Luzon a connectivity node.
Why this matters globally
Nipa palms stabilize estuaries and support livelihoods. Conserving between-island dispersal routes may be as important as protecting individual sites, informing connectivity-based mangrove management in archipelagos.
Thai researcher contribution
A Ramathibodi health-science research laboratory scientist joined collaborators from the Philippines, Taiwan, Sri Lanka and India in conservation genetics.
Limitations to consider
Seven sites cannot cover the archipelago. Heterozygote deficit can reflect inbreeding, Wahlund structure, null alleles or sampling, not flow alone. Direction was inferred from genotypes rather than tracked fruits or currents, and one palm species cannot represent all mangroves.