| Abstract Detail
Phycological Section Clayden, Susan Leta [1]. Characterization of Canadian members of the genus Acrochaetium (Rhodophyta). The Canadian members of the red algal genus Acrochaetium in its current taxonomic circumscription are characterized by diminutive, often microscopic, filamentous marine algae with a stellate plastid and single central pyrenoid per cell. A subset of species are found only on the Pacific coast, others only on the Atlantic coast, and a more limited number are common to both shorelines. All described species in current taxonomic keys were field collected, and have either been isolated into unialgal culture, or exist as epi/endophytes on larger red macroalgal hosts preserved as herbarium presses. In short, taxonomic confusion surrounds the identities of many species, e.g. whether one ‘species’ actually contains several entities, instances of differently named gametophytes and tetrasporophytes when the corresponding phase is unknown by culture verification, and in general a taxonomic maze of criteria for differentiation of species, added to suggested synonymies. Here, life history observations, species ‘identifiers’ by molecular mitochondrial barcode signatures, and derivation of a phylogeny based on large subunit ribosomal DNA sequences are presented. The sum of analysis of molecular sequence determinations paired with observations of culture and herbarium specimens, allow novel elucidation of the range of intraspecific variation and interspecific relationships among this diverse group of algae.
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1 - University of New Brunswick, Department of Biology, 10 Bailey Drive, Fredericton, NB, E3B 5A3, Canada
Keywords:
Acrochaetium
Rhodophyta
systematics.
Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Sections
Session: P
Location: Ball Room & Party Room/SUB
Date: Monday, July 28th, 2008
Time: 12:30 PM
Number: PPC004
Abstract ID:873 |
