MORPHOLOGICAL AND MOLECULAR DIFFERENTIATION OF ULVA SPP. (ULVOPHYCEAE, CHLOROPHYTA) AND FUCUS SPP. (PHAEOPHYCEAE, OCHROPHYTA) OF THE SAN JUAN ISLANDS, WA, US

Marine macroalgae are foundation species that play a critical ecological role in coastal communities as primary producers in the ecosystem. Both Ulva and Fucus genera are vital in intertidal communities serving a food source and shelter for other organisms. Previous studies were limited, focusing only on morphological characteristics of these algal genera. This project aimed to identify the diversity of Ulva and Fucus species using an integrated approach of morphological and molecular analysis in the San Juan Islands, WA, to better understand defining characteristics of species and overall biodiversity. Ulva (Ulvophyceae) and Fucus (Phaeophyceae) specimens were collected from the lower, mid, and upper intertidal zones; each representative having different macroscopic morphological characteristics and collected in varying tidal zones. The tufA and COI- 5P loci were amplified for Ulva and Fucus specimens, respectively, then sequenced. Our study indicates that morphological assessment of these genera alone is not definitive. Molecular-based classification of proper Ulva and Fucus species identification are important to understand the biodiversity within coastal ecosystems

A Demonstration of DNA Barcoding-Based Identification of Blade-Form Ulva (Ulvophyceae, Chlorophyta) Species from Three Site in the San Juan Islands, Washington, USA

Marine macroalgae are foundation species that play a critical ecological role in coastal communities as primary producers. The macroalgal genus Ulva is vital in intertidal communities, serving as a food source and shelter for organisms, but these species also form environment-damaging nuisance blooms. This project aimed to demonstrate the utility of DNA barcoding for determining the diversity of Ulva species in the San Juan Islands (Washington, DC, USA). Blade-form Ulva (Ulvophyceae) specimens were collected from the lower, mid, and upper intertidal zones at three sites experiencing different levels of wave exposure. Sequences of plastid-encoded tufA were generated for each specimen and cluster analyses revealed the presence of four species at the collection sites. Two species were positively identified as Ulva expansa and Ulva fenestrata based on their sharing identical tufA sequences with those of the holotype specimens. Sequences of plastid-encoded rbcL and the nuclear-encoded ribosomal ITS regions of representative specimens were used to identify the other two species as Ulva prolifera and Ulva californica based on their similarity to epitype and topotype specimen sequences, respectively. Additional types of specimen sequencing efforts are needed to increase the number of Ulva species that can be accurately identified and realize their true biodiversity

A Demonstration of DNA Barcoding-Based Identification of Blade-Form <i>Ulva</i> (Ulvophyceae, Chlorophyta) Species from Three Site in the San Juan Islands, Washington, USA

Marine macroalgae are foundation species that play a critical ecological role in coastal communities as primary producers. The macroalgal genus Ulva is vital in intertidal communities, serving as a food source and shelter for organisms, but these species also form environment-damaging nuisance blooms. This project aimed to demonstrate the utility of DNA barcoding for determining the diversity of Ulva species in the San Juan Islands (Washington, DC, USA). Blade-form Ulva (Ulvophyceae) specimens were collected from the lower, mid, and upper intertidal zones at three sites experiencing different levels of wave exposure. Sequences of plastid-encoded tufA were generated for each specimen and cluster analyses revealed the presence of four species at the collection sites. Two species were positively identified as Ulva expansa and Ulva fenestrata based on their sharing identical tufA sequences with those of the holotype specimens. Sequences of plastid-encoded rbcL and the nuclear-encoded ribosomal ITS regions of representative specimens were used to identify the other two species as Ulva prolifera and Ulva californica based on their similarity to epitype and topotype specimen sequences, respectively. Additional types of specimen sequencing efforts are needed to increase the number of Ulva species that can be accurately identified and realize their true biodiversity

Effect of Antiplatelet Therapy on Survival and Organ Support–Free Days in Critically Ill Patients With COVID-19

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