Molecular phylogenetic analyses of the Japanese Ulva and Enteromorpha (Ulvales, Ulvophyceae), with special reference to the free-floating Ulva |
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Authors: | Satoshi Shimada Masanori Hiraoka Shinichi Nabata Masafumi Iima Michio Masuda |
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Institution: | Center for Advanced Science and Technology, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan;Kochi Prefectural Deep Seawater Laboratory, Muroto 781-7101, Japan;Hokkaido Kushiro Fisheries Experimental Station, Kushiro 085-0024, Japan;Faculty of Environmental Studies, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan;Division of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan |
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Abstract: | In order to elucidate the species composition of free‐floating Ulva that cause green tide in several bays in Japan, and to clarify the generic status of Ulva and Enteromorpha (Ulvales, Ulvophyceae), the nuclear encoded internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region including the 5.8S gene and the plastid encoded large subunit of ribulose‐1, 5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/ oxgenase (rbcL) gene sequences for 15 species were determined. Both ITS and rbcL analyses indicate that free‐floating Ulva samples are divided into four different lineages that correspond to Ulva lactuca Linnaeus, U. pertusa Kjellman, U. armoricana Dion etal. and U. fasciata Delile. These four species are distinguished by cell morphology including the arrangement of cells, the shape and size of cells and the position of chloroplasts. Molecular data also indicated that Ulva and Enteromorpha are not separated as respective monophyletic groups within a large monophyletic clade and congeneric as shown by previous molecular studies using the ITS sequences alone. This strongly suggests that these genera are congeneric and Enteromorpha should be reduced to the synonym of Ulva. |
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Keywords: | Chlorophyta Enteromorpha internal transcribed spacer molecular phylogeny morphology ribulose-1 5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase Ulva Ulvales Ulvophyceae |
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