The aim of this PhD study was to gain new insights into the evolutionary history of the Central African rainforests, which are among the most complex and diverse ecosystems on earth. Even today, many questions regarding the underlying dynamics and evolutionary processes shaping that remarkable diversity remain unanswered, since relatively few studies have focused on the vast tropical forests growing in the Congo Basin. Therefore, we applied various molecular approaches to study the levels of genetic diversity and patterns of differentiation within and between population of the tropical tree species Scorodophloeus zenkeri, Staudtia kamerunensis and Prioria balsamifera. In Chapter 2, we conducted a phylogeographic study on the widespread tropical tree Scorodophloeus zenkeri to assess the impact of past forest fragmentation in Central African lowland forests. By applying Bayesian clustering methods, we revealed six intraspecific genetic clusters within the species. The observed genetic discontinuities most likely result from forest fragmentation during the glacial periods of the Pleistocene. Populations in Lower Guinea appeared differentiated from those in Congolia, and both bioregions harboured distinct genetic clusters.In Chapter 3, we developed 16 highly polymorphic microsatellite primers (SSRs) for Staudtia kamerunensis, a timber species for which species-specific genetic markers were lacking. By validating the developed markers in three populations, we demonstrated their usefulness to study gene flow, population structure and spatial distribution of genetic diversity in S. kamerunensis.In Chapter 4, we applied the newly developed SSRs, two nuclear gene markers and a chloroplast marker to search for evolutionary lineages in Staudtia kamerunensis, a species with a complex taxonomical history. Our analyses reveal multiple genetic discontinuities among populations throughout Central Africa, probably resulting from ancient rainforest fragmentation during cold and dry periods in the Pliocene and/or Pleistocene. However, the clear genetic disjunction observed between northern and southern populations in Lower Guinea could correspond to a genetic break between the kamerunensis and gabonensis varieties described in Staudtia kamerunensis.In Chapter 5, we developed two new sets of microsatellite primers (SSRs); 16 primer pairs for Prioria balsamifera and 15 primer pairs for Prioria oxyphylla. Validation of the primers in two populations of each species, as well as the cross-amplification tests, demonstrated the usefulness of the SSRs to study gene flow and spatial genetic structure in African Prioria species, which is needed to prevent genetic erosion and to set up proper conservation guidelines.In Chapter 6, the 16 newly developed microsatellite loci were amplified in individuals of P. balsamifera from Gabon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to assess the levels of genetic diversity and intraspecific differentiation. Our analyses show that the genetic diversity in P. balsamifera populations is relatively low, so efforts should be made to prevent further depletion of the gene pool. Bayesian clustering analyses revealed multiple genetic discontinuities throughout the Congo Basin, probably caused by ancient forest fragmentation. The inferred intraspecific clusters show a parapatric distribution, so they can potentially be used to determine the origin of individuals at a regional scale. Additionally, various genetic assignment methods show that the SSR dataset generated in this study can be used as a reference database for Gabon and DR Congo. The general discussion allows us to show similarities in the genetic structures of species that can be interpreted in terms of forest cover history in Central Africa. / Doctorat en Sciences / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

L’origine de la structuration spatiale de la diversité inter spécifique (SSDS) des forêts d’Afrique centrale est l'objet de vigoureux débats quant à l’importance relative des facteurs historiques, stochastiques et déterministes. De plus, la SSDS est le plus souvent mal caractérisée, en particulier la variation spatiale de la composition des communautés (diversité beta).<p>L’hypothèse la plus souvent avancée pour expliquer l’origine des centres de diversité et d’endémisme est historique :ces centres constitueraient d’anciens refuges forestiers formés pendant les périodes sèches du Quaternaire. Cependant, la forte hétérogénéité environnementale de ces régions pourrait tout aussi bien expliquer la SSDS.<p>L'objectif principal de cette thèse est de tester l'importance de ces facteurs (historiques et/ou hétérogénéité environnementale) :si les facteurs historiques sont déterminants, on s’attend à observer une concordance spatiale entre la SSDS et la structure spatiale de la diversité génétique (SSDG). En effet, la variation neutre au sein des espèces est en grande partie soumise aux processus qui affectent également la SSDS (dérive génétique/écologique et dispersion des espèces/flux de gènes). L’approche utilisée dans cette thèse consiste donc à comparer et évaluer la concordance spatiale entre la SSDS et la SSDG.<p>Le modèle biologique et le cadre géographique de cette étude sont les communautés et les populations d’arbres des forêts humides d’Afrique centrale atlantique, avec une attention particulière pour les forêts gabonaises. La SSDS a été étudiée sur la base de relevés de communautés d’arbres (16308 individus) et la SSDG sur la base de séquences d’ADN chloroplastiques de six espèces d’arbres (Greenwayodendron suaveolens, Scorodophloeus zenkeri, Afrostyrax lepidophyllus, Afrostyrax kamerunensis, Santiria trimera et Erythrophleum suaveolens).<p>Quatre objectifs spécifiques ont été retenus :<p>(i)\ / Doctorat en Sciences / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished