Reef‐building coralline algae from the Southwest Atlantic: filling gaps with the recognition of Harveylithon (Corallinaceae,Rhodophyta) on the Brazilian coast |
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| Authors: | Iara Oliveira Costa Priscila Barreto de Jesus Tiana da Silva de Jesus Poline dos Santos Souza Paulo Antunes Horta Jos Marcos de Castro Nunes |
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| Institution: | Iara Oliveira Costa,Priscila Barreto de Jesus,Tiana da Silva de Jesus,Poline dos Santos Souza,Paulo Antunes Horta,José Marcos de Castro Nunes |
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| Abstract: | The Southwest Atlantic is notable for having extensive reef areas cemented by nongeniculate coralline red algae. Based on an analysis of four genetic markers and morpho‐anatomical features, we clarify the species of Harveylithon in the tropical and warm temperate Southwest Atlantic. Species delimitation methods (mBGD, ABGD, SPN, and PTP), using three markers (psbA, rbcL, and COI), support the recognition of three new species: H. catarinense sp. nov., H. maris‐bahiensis sp. nov., and H. riosmenum sp. nov., previously incorrectly called Hydrolithon samoënse. Our findings highlight the importance of using an approach with several lines of evidence to solve the taxonomic status of the cryptic species. |
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| Keywords: | cryptic species Metagoniolithoideae nongeniculate coralline algae species delimitation methods taxonomy |
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