Species diversity, geographic distribution and phylogenetic context of rhodolith-forming coralline red algae in British Columbia.
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Date
2024-07
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University of New Brunswick
Abstract
Rhodolith collections in British Columbia (BC) have historically been limited and published regional species diversity data are poor. To address this, BC rhodolith collections were barcoded with the markers COI-5P, rbcL-3P and psbA to identify unique genetic groups, which were placed into a phylogenetic context with other coralline algae and observed anatomically. Six non-geniculate rhodolith-forming species were uncovered: Boreolithothamnion astragaloi sp. prov., Boreolithothamnion colliculosum sp. prov., Boreolithothamnion phymatodeum, Boreolithothamnion soriferum, Boreolithothamnion tanuense sp. prov. and Rhodolithia gracilis gen. et. sp. prov., which has three varieties. Of particular interest, ITS sequences showed the variety Rhodolithia gracilis var. gracilis x ramosa var. prov. to be a hybrid of the other two varieties. Unexpectedly, rhodolith-like specimens of geniculate Calliarthron tuberculosum and Bossiella sp. 1heteroforma were also uncovered. While understanding the full extent of BC rhodolith beds will require additional sampling, these findings indicate that the rhodolith flora is widespread and diverse in BC.