Format: ORAL

Diana Itzel Martnez-Lona1, Michelle Cabrera-Guerra2, Eddy Mendoza-Galindo3, Tania Hernndez-Hernndez4

1 Ciencias Agrogenómicas, Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, León, México 2 Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biology, Ludwig Maximilians Universität, Munich, Germany 3 Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN (Cinvestav), Irapuato, Guanajuato. México 4 Department of Research, Conservation and Collections, Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, AZ, USA

Mexico is one of the few biodiversity hotspots for both wild and domesticated plants in the world. Many species, varieties and landraces can only be found in the region; due to geographical, biological and cultural reasons. Approximately 75% of species of Agave are endemic and 84% of the cactus found in Mexico are found only here. The most recent assessments from conservationist groups reveal that both Agave and cactus species are the most endangered, threatened of extinction mostly from illegal poaching, change in land use and global warming. Unfortunately, there are still few genomic resources available for both taxonomic groups, and the research community is in high need of tools such as reference genomes, SNP panels and methodological approaches to better understand the biology to these long-lived wild species and inform conservation strategies. During this talk, I will explain some of the research initiatives of Desert Botanical Garden in collaboration with several institutions in Mexico and the community to study and preserve both cactus and Agave biodiversity using genomic tools. We leverage on the popularity and economic relevance of two flagship species: Carnegiea gigantea (saguaro cactus) and Agave tequilanavar. Azul (‘blue’ tequila agave). Although these species are not endangered, through their study we develop tools and raise awareness towards conservation, not only of species but also varieties and landraces. I will explain our study of the columnar saguaro cactus and the efforts we are making to involve and actively engage the community to set awareness of climate change and their effects in cactus biodiversity. I will also talk about our efforts to document and preserve the almost lost mezcal and tequila traditional Agave landraces, threatened by the enormous demand for only two cultivars that produce the spirits that are highly sought-after in the USA and Europe.