DNA variation in the phenotypically-diverse brown alga Saccharina japonica.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Saccharina japonica (Areschoug) Lane, Mayes, Druehl et Saunders is an economically important and highly morphologically variable brown alga inhabiting the northwest Pacific marine waters. On the basis of nuclear (ITS), plastid (rbcLS) and mitochondrial (COI) DNA sequence data, we have analyzed the genetic composition of typical Saccharina japonica (TYP) and its two common morphological varieties, known as the "longipes" (LON) and "shallow-water" (SHA) forms seeking to clarify their taxonomical status and to evaluate the possibility of cryptic species within S. japonica.

Results

The data show that the TYP and LON forms are very similar genetically in spite of drastic differences in morphology, life history traits, and ecological preferences. Both, however, are gene

SUBMITTER: Balakirev ES 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3490969 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature