The use of genetic markers in forest ecosystems enables advances in the genetic understanding of the natural populations, as well as assists on strategies to recover or restore forests. The objective of this work was to evaluate the genetic diversity among 18 individuals of Genipa americana L. by RAPD markers using 12 primers, from Sergipe in the lower course of São Francisco River. For the Jaccard index, the average genetic similarity (Ags) among individuals was 60.4%, while the highest similarity distance obtained is between individuals G11 and G12 (83.6% ± 0.03) and the lowest genetic similarity between individuals G4 and G18 (36.5% ± 0.02). Based on the Ags (78.4%), seven pairs were considered genetically similar. this evaluation permits to infer that the individuals can be used to provide seeds in combination with other individuals in restoration programs for degraded areas, but only in remote areas.
Genetic structure; RAPD; Fragmentary ecosystems
