Using Molecular-Assisted Alpha Taxonomy to Better Understand Red Algal Biodiversity in Bermuda

Molecular-assisted alpha taxonomy has recently become an effective practice in reassessing biodiversity and floristics for a variety of different organisms. This paper presents a series of examples that have been drawn from biodiversity work being carried out on the marine red algae of Bermuda. Molecular sequencing of DNA from Bermuda samples has already begun to greatly alter the makeup of the flora as it was known just decades ago, and will help set a new database for future comparison as climate change affects species composition in the islands

Notes on the marine algae of the Bermudas. 15. \u3cem\u3eDichotomaria huismanii\u3c/em\u3e (\u3cem\u3eGalaxauraceae\u3c/em\u3e, Rhodophyta), a new species in the \u3cem\u3eD. marginata\u3c/em\u3e complex from the western Atlantic

Using plastid-encoded rbcL and mitochondrial COI-5P sequence data, the species in Bermuda formerly recognized as Dichotomaria marginata was found to be a cryptic species in a wide complex of species all falling under the morphologically broad species concept for this supposed pantropical species. The new species, Dichotomaria huismanii, shows subtle anatomical and morphological differences when compared to D. marginata, and at present is only known from Bermuda. Bermuda specimens were compared with our isolates of D. marginata from St. Croix (Virgin Is.), as well as rbcL sequenced specimens with those from Guadeloupe and Puerto Rico in GenBank as D. marginata. Morphological and molecular characterization of D. marginata is provided along with the new species

A molecular-assisted alpha taxonomic study of the genus Centroceras (Ceramiaceae, Rhodophyta) in Bermuda reveals two novel species

When the generitype Centroceras clavulatum, a presumed cosmopolitan warm temperate to tropical red alga, was discovered to have a biogeographic distribution limited to the Pacific Ocean using molecular and morphological evidence, the taxonomy in the genus Centroceras was thrown into chaos worldwide. An analysis of what species was, or were, previously identified as C. clavulatum in Bermuda is the focus of the present molecular (COI-5P, rbcL) and morphological study. Two novel species are proposed, C. arcii sp. nov. and C. illaqueans sp. nov., and the distributions of three taxa recently segregated in the ‘C. clavulatum complex’ of the western Atlantic, C. gasparrinii, C. hyalacanthum, and C. micracanthum, have been expanded to include Bermuda. C. arcii is shown to be morphologically cryptic with C. micracanthum, and remains best distinguished by its COI-5P barcode sequence

A Molecular-Assisted Alpha Taxonomic Study of the Genus \u3cem\u3eCentroceras\u3c/em\u3e (Ceramiaceae, Rhodophyta) in Bermuda Reveals Two Novel Species

When the generitype Centroceras clavulatum, a presumed cosmopolitan warm temperate to tropical red alga, was discovered to have a biogeographic distribution limited to the Pacific Ocean using molecular and morphological evidence, the taxonomy in the genus Centroceras was thrown into chaos worldwide. An analysis of what species was, or were, previously identified as C. clavulatum in Bermuda is the focus of the present molecular (COI-5P, rbcL) and morphological study. Two novel species are proposed, C. arcii sp. nov. and C. illaqueans sp. nov., and the distributions of three taxa recently segregated in the \u27C. clavulatum complex\u27 of the western Atlantic, C. gasparrinii, C. hyalacanthum, and C. micracanthum, have been expanded to include Bermuda. C. arcii is shown to be morphologically cryptic with C. micracanthum, and remains best distinguished by its COI-5P barcode sequence

A molecular evaluation of the Liagoraceae sensu lato (Nemaliales, Rhodophyta) in Bermuda including Liagora nesophila sp. nov. and Yamadaella grassyi sp. nov.

We have undertaken a comprehensive, molecular-assisted alpha-taxonomic examination of the rhodophyte family Liagoraceae sensu lato, a group that has not previously been targeted for molecular studies in the western Atlantic. Sequence data from three molecular markers indicate that in Bermuda alone there are 10 species in nine different genera. These include the addition of three genera to the flora - Hommersandiophycus, Trichogloeopsis, and Yamadaella. Liagora pectinata, a species with a type locality in Bermuda, is phylogenetically allied with Indo-Pacific species of Hommersandiophycus, and the species historically reported as L. ceranoides for the islands is morphologically and genetically distinct from that taxon, and is herein described as L. nesophila sp. nov. Molecular sequence data have also uncovered the Indo-Pacific L. mannarensis in Bermuda, a long-distance new western Atlantic record. DNA sequences of Trichogloeopsis pedicellata from the type locality (Bahamas) match with local specimens demonstrating its presence in Bermuda. We described Yamadaella grassyi sp. nov. from Bermuda, a species phylogenetically and morphologically distinct from the generitype, Y. caenomyce of the Indo-Pacific. Our data also indicated a single species each of Ganonema, Gloiocallis, Helminthocladia, Titanophycus, and Trichogloea in the flora

Notes on the marine algae of the Bermudas. 14. Five additions to the benthic flora, including a distinctive second new species of Crassitegula (Rhodophyta, Sebdeniales) from the western Atlantic Ocean

A new red algal species, Crassitegula laciniata (Sebdeniaceae, Sebdeniales), was described from recent collections made on offshore Bermuda reef habitats, and it was distinguished morphologically and molecularly (COI-5P, LSU gene sequences) from congeners in Bermuda and Australia. In addition, four other species were reported as new members of the growing Bermuda macroalgal flora: the chlorophytes Anadyomene lacerata and Codium carolinianum and the rhodophytes Gracilaria occidentalis and Predaea goffiana. © 2014 International Phycological Society

Notes on the marine algae of the Bermudas. 13. Helminthocladia kempii sp. nov. (Nemaliales, Liagoraceae) based upon h. calvadosii sensu auct. from the western Atlantic\u3csup\u3e1\u3c/sup\u3e

ASince the initial western Atlantic collections in the Florida Keys and Bermuda during the mid-1800s, Helminthocladia calvadosii sensu auct. (type locality: Calvados, France) has also been identified from the Caribbean Sea and as far south as northern Brazil. Prior to this study, collections from the eastern and western Atlantic had not been compared using molecular-assisted alpha taxonomy. Recent winter-spring collections of H. calvadosii from Bermuda display an overall habit that is distinct from eastern Atlantic plants of the same species, appearing more similar to H. reyesii (type locality: Canary Islands). Utilizing markers for the mitochondrial COI-5P, we have elucidated the relationships between Bermudian isolates and H. calvadosii from near the type locality, verifying their generic placement within the Liagoraceae and demonstrating their distinctiveness. Using vegetative and reproductive characteristics, we conclude that specimens historically identified as H. calvadosii from Bermuda represent a novel species, and propose Helminthocladia kempii Popolizio, C.W. Schneid. et Chengsupanimit sp. nov. for them. © 2013 Adac. Tous droits réservés