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Diversity of crustose coralline algae from Brazil based on molecular markers and morphology

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Author(s):
Talita Vieira Pinto
Total Authors: 1
Document type: Doctoral Thesis
Press: São Paulo.
Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Biociências (IBIOC/SB)
Defense date:
Examining board members:
Mariana Cabral de Oliveira; Maria Beatriz Barbosa de Barros Barreto; Valéria Cassano; Mutue Toyota Fujii; José Marcos de Castro Nunes
Advisor: Mariana Cabral de Oliveira
Abstract

The Crustose Coralline Algae (CCA) has as a main distinguishing characteristic the calcium carbonate impregnation in their cell walls. This group currently encompasses three orders, the Corallinales, Hapalidiales and Sporolithales, whose taxonomy is historically problematic because it is based on the tetrasporophytic phase, fundamental to any classification, even at the ordinal level. Therefore, many studies, especially in the last 10 years, have included molecular tools to assist the morphological taxonomy of this group. This study aims to investigate the diversity and distribution of the CCA along the Brazilian coast, through molecular and morphoanatomical data. In order to achieve this aim, four markers were used, UPA, rbcL-3P, COI-5P and psbA, allied to light and scanning electron microscopy, that resulted in the identification of at least 37 species between Corallinales, Hapalidiales and Sporolithales. The results of the cluster analyses of the four markers showed that Corallinales and Sporolithales are monophyletic, and Hapalidiales comprises a non-monophyletic group (with the exception of psbA, which resolved the order as a monophyly). Our results also revealed a great diversity of species and genera of these three orders in Brazil, as well as putative new species and at least a new genus. This study also revealed phylogeographic relationships between Brazilian species and species from Gulf of Mexico and from Indo-Pacific oceans. Considering all the three orders of CCA, this study represents the first broad attempt and effort to unveil the diversity of CCA species found on the Brazilian coast using molecular data (AU)

FAPESP's process: 12/05076-2 - Taxonomy and phylogeny of the Sporolithales from Brazil
Grantee:Talita Vieira Pinto
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate