<i>Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis</i> (Gracilariaceae, Rhodophyta) in the Mexican Coasts: A Case of Disjunct Distribution?

Abstract

Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis is a widely reported species of marine red algae, with records from around the world. Particularly in Mexico, it has been recorded along the coasts of the Gulf of Mexico and the Mexican Caribbean as well as the Tropical Mexican Pacific; so, its current distribution on the Mexican coasts is disjunct. From its molecular characterization with COI-5P and rbcL sequences of specimens collected at sites in Mexico where this species has been most frequently recorded, our aim was to re-evaluate the current distribution of Gp. lemaneiformis on the Mexican coasts and discuss the taxonomic implications. Phylogenetic analysis, supported by DNA species delimitation methods, genetic distances and morphological comparisons, showed that the current disjunct distribution of Gp. lemaniformis in Mexico is a consequence of taxonomic misidentifications. From our results, Gp. lemaneiformis is the only species of the genus with a distribution in the Tropical Mexican Pacific, whereas Gp. tenuifrons is the only species with a distribution in the Gulf of Mexico and the Mexican Caribbean. Also, we propose that Gp. cata-luziana is to be merged with Gp. tenuifrons, while Gp. costarisensis is to be merged with Gp. lemaneiformis.

Molecular assessment of the species of Gracilariaceae (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta) from the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, including two new records for the Mexican Atlantic

“…Of the confirmed species in our study, only the species of Crassiphycus (except C. crassissimus) and Gp. tenuifrons were consistent with those proposed by Dreckmann & Sentíes (2014) and Hernández et al (2020), respectively. Of the species of Gracilaria, none of those proposed by Dreckmann & Sentíes (2014) was confirmed by our results.…”

“…Recently, Hernández et al (2020) demonstrated, with molecular evidence, that specimens morphologically identified as Gp. lemaneiformis from Yucatan Peninsula correspond to Gp.…”

“…On the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, 30 species of Gracilariaceae, assigned to three genera, have been recorded under the morphospecies concept: Crassiphycus caudatus (J. Agardh) Gurgel (Gurgel et al 2003, Ortega et al 2001, Dreckmann 2012, Dreckmann & Sentíes 2014, García-García et al 2020. Although there are detailed morphological and biogeographic studies for these species, for which an overestimation of the current diversity was already suggested (Dreckmann 2012, Dreckmann & Sentíes 2014), there is molecular support only for Crassiphycus corneus, C. usneoides, Gracilaria macrocarpa, and Gracilariopsis tenuifrons (Núñez-Resendiz et al 2015, Dreckmann et al 2018, Hernández et al 2020). These studies have been carried out with molecular markers (rbcL and COI-5P), which have allowed the recognition of cryptic diversity (Núñez-Resendiz et al 2015, the description of new species (Dreckmann et al 2018) and the redefinition of their areas of distribution (Hernández et al 2020).…”

“…Although there are detailed morphological and biogeographic studies for these species, for which an overestimation of the current diversity was already suggested (Dreckmann 2012, Dreckmann & Sentíes 2014), there is molecular support only for Crassiphycus corneus, C. usneoides, Gracilaria macrocarpa, and Gracilariopsis tenuifrons (Núñez-Resendiz et al 2015, Dreckmann et al 2018, Hernández et al 2020). These studies have been carried out with molecular markers (rbcL and COI-5P), which have allowed the recognition of cryptic diversity (Núñez-Resendiz et al 2015, the description of new species (Dreckmann et al 2018) and the redefinition of their areas of distribution (Hernández et al 2020). However, the phylogenetic identity for many of the species of Gracilariaceae recorded in the area is still unknown.…”

Actualización taxonómica de las algas rojas (Rhodophyta) marinas bentónicas del Atlántico mexicano

“…Nota: Gracilariopsis cata-luziana fue descrita originalmente de Veracruz, como una especie diferente de G. tenuifrons por presentar un diámetro menor en sus ramas (Gurgel et al, 2003). Sin embargo, de acuerdo a la evidencia molecular presentada por Hernández et al (2020), G. cata-luziana fue reducida a sinonimia de G. tenuifrons.…”