Molecular and morphological reappraisal of Spyridiocolax capixabus (Spyridiaceae, Rhodophyta), a rare endemic parasite from Brazil

Author(s)

Chen, Daniella Harumi ^[1] ; Soares, Luanda Pereira ^[2] ; Fujii, Mutue Toyota ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Inst Bot, Postgrad Program Biodivers Vegetal & Meio Am, Av Miguel Estefano 3687, BR-04301012 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Inst Bot, Nucleo Pesquisa Ficot, BR-04301012 Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Botanica Marina; v. 62, n. 4, p. 345-353, AUG 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

The monotypic red algal parasite genus Spyridiocolax was proposed from material from the coast of Espirito Santo to accommodate Spyridiocolax capixabus, endemic from Brazil. The species is rare, and we performed a morphological reappraisal and the first molecular characterization of S. capixabus. Parasite specimens growing on Spyridia clavata were collected in the type locality, Itaoca Beach, Espirito Santo. Spyridiocolax capixabus forms colorless warts on the branches of S. clavata, and the secondary pit connections were described for the first time. Male, female and tetrasporophytic structures were observed growing in the same host plant. The plastid rbcL sequences of parasite and host were identical. A divergence of one nucleotide was found to the nuclear SSU rRNA gene, suggesting that the parasite retains the chloroplast of its host. Both plastidial and nuclear phylogenies supported the close relationship of S. capixabus and S. clavata. The data obtained corroborate other studies with rho-dophycean parasites, which show morphological and molecular similarities between parasites and hosts. To maintain the monophyly of the host genus, the transfer of S. capixabus to Spyridia is proposed here on the basis of morphological and molecular evidence. Our study constitutes a starting point for reinvestigating the red algal parasites in Brazil. (AU)