A molecular investigation of the genus Ecklonia (Phaeophyceae, Laminariales) with special focus on the Southern Hemisphere. Issue 2 (30th January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rothman, Mark D.; Mattio, Lydiane; Wernberg, Thomas; Anderson, Robert J.; Uwai, Shinya; Mohring, Margaret B.; Bolton, John J.; Lane, C.
• Is Part Of: Journal of phycology. Volume 51:Issue 2(2015)
• Page Start: 236
• Page End: 246
• Publication Date: 2015-01-30
• Subjects: Algae -- Periodicals; 579.8
• DOI: 10.1111/jpy.12264
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3646

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="jpy12264-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>Brown algae of the order Laminariales, commonly referred to as kelps, are the largest and most productive primary producers in the coastal inshore environment. The genus <italic>Ecklonia</italic> (Lessoniaceae, Phaeophyceae) consists of seven species with four species in the Northern Hemisphere and three in the Southern Hemisphere. It was recently transferred to the family Lessoniaceae based on phylogenetic analyses of nuclear and chloroplastic markers, though the type of the genus was not included and its relationship with allied genera <italic>Eckloniopsis</italic> and <italic>Eisenia</italic> remained unresolved. The present study is the first to produce a phylogeny focussed on the genus <italic>Ecklonia</italic>. It included sequences from nuclear, mitochondrial, and chloroplastic DNA, for most of the distribution range of the three current Southern Hemisphere species (<italic>Ecklonia radiata</italic>, <italic> Ecklonia maxima</italic>, and a sample of a putative <italic>Ecklonia brevipes</italic> specimen), sequences for East Asiatic species (<italic>Ecklonia cava</italic>, <italic> Ecklonia kurome</italic>, and <italic>Ecklonia stolonifera</italic>), as well as the closely related genera <italic>Eckloniopsis</italic> and <italic>Eisenia</italic>. Results confirmed <italic>E. radiata</italic> and <italic>E. maxima</italic> as two distinct species in South Africa, <italic>E. radiata</italic> as a single species throughout the Southern Hemisphere (in South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand) and East Asiatic species as a distinct lineage from the Southern Hemisphere clade. Results further pointed out a close sister relationship between <italic>Eckloniopsis radicosa</italic> and two <italic>Eisenia</italic> species (including the type species: <italic>Eisenia arborea</italic>) to the genus <italic>Ecklonia</italic> suggesting that the genera <italic>Eckloniopsis</italic> and <italic>Eisenia</italic> are superfluous.</p> </abstract>