The phylogeography of Vellozia auriculata (Velloziaceae) supports low zygotic gene flow and local population persistence in the campo rupestre, a Neotropical OCBIL

The campo rupestre is a Neotropical azonal vegetation. Its disjoint distribution and the fact that it is an old climatic buffered infertile landscape (OCBIL) have been associated with the high diversity and endemism observed in this environment. Here, we tested whether a micro-endemic species from campo rupestre shows: (1) limited zygotic gene flow; (2) lower gametic than zygotic gene flow structure; (3) substrate-driven genetic structure and (4) no evidence of Pleistocene local extinction or recolonization. By sequencing intergenic plastid regions, phenotyping inter simple sequence repeats (ISSR) and modelling present and past species suitability distributions for Vellozia auriculata we conclude that (1) zygotic gene flow is limited; (2) gametic gene flow is recurrent, but limited by elevation and distance; (3) there is no support for genetic structure driven by substrate and (4) Pleistocene climatic changes did not restrict the species to refugia, with local persistence. As long-term gene flow restrictions may lead to differentiation and speciation, our data helps to corroborate that the campo rupestre is both a cradle (due to low zygotic gene flow, prolonged isolation and consequent differentiation) and a lineage museum (due to local survival during climate oscillations). We highlight two distinct evolutionarily significant units (ESU), providing information for better conservation practice.