A new species of digenea (Rhodomelaceae, ceramiales) based upon a molecular assessment and morphological observations of plants historically known as d. simplex in Bermuda
Document Type
Article
Date of Original Version
2-9-2018
Abstract
Using mitochondrial COI-5P as a barcode marker, the red algal species previously identified as Digenea simplex in Bermuda is shown to be distinct from this species found in the Adriatic (type locality) and Mediterranean Seas, as well as other tropical locations worldwide. This finding led to a comparative study of the morphology of Bermuda specimens and D. simplex from the type locality, as well as other congeners. Our data show the Bermuda specimens to be morphologically, as well as genetically, distinct from D. simplex necessitating the description of D. arenahauriens sp. nov. for plants found in the islands and a single collection from the Caribbean Sea. It represents the first species partitioned from the “pantropical” D. simplex and we present genetic evidence of additional undescribed isolates in the species complex requiring further study.
Publication Title, e.g., Journal
Phytotaxa
Volume
338
Issue
1
Citation/Publisher Attribution
Schneider, Craig W., Bilal F. Hamzeh, Christopher E. Lane, and Gary W. Saunders. "A new species of digenea (Rhodomelaceae, ceramiales) based upon a molecular assessment and morphological observations of plants historically known as d. simplex in Bermuda." Phytotaxa 338, 1 (2018): 90-98. doi: 10.11646/phytotaxa.338.1.7.