Evolutionary reversals in Bossiella (Corallinales, Rhodophyta): first report of a coralline genus with both geniculate and nongeniculate species. Issue 6 (16th October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hind, Katharine R.; Gabrielson, Paul W.; Jensen, Cassandra; Martone, Patrick T.
• Editors: Amsler, C.
• Is Part Of: Journal of phycology. Volume 54:Issue 6(2018:Dec.)
• Page Start: 788
• Page End: 798
• Publication Date: 2018-10-16
• Subjects: Bossiella exarticulata -- Bossiella mayae -- COI‐5P -- crustose coralline algae -- cryptic species -- psbA -- Pseudolithophyllum whidbeyense -- rbcL -- secondary loss -- sequencing type specimens; Algae -- Periodicals; 579.8
• DOI: 10.1111/jpy.12788
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3646

Abstract

Abstract : This is the first report of a coralline genus with both geniculate (upright fronds with non‐calcified joints) and nongeniculate species that has been verified by DNA sequence data. Two nongeniculate (crustose) species of Bossiella are recognized, B. mayae sp. nov. and B. exarticulata sp. nov. DNA sequencing of the lectotype specimen of Pseudolithophyllum whidbeyense revealed that this name had been misapplied and instead belongs to an undescribed coralline species in the Hapalidiales. Phylogenetic analyses of concatenated DNA sequences ( psb A, rbc L, COI‐5P) indicate that B. mayae and B. exarticulata represent phenotypic reversals from the geniculate character state back to the nongeniculate character state. Secondary loss of genicula has occurred three times in the subfamily Corallinoideae, once to generate the entirely nongeniculate genus Crusticorallina and twice in the now morphologically heterotypic Bossiella . Since phenotypic reversals have occurred several times during the evolution of coralline algae, we speculate about the putative mechanism and adaptive significance of this phenomenon.