DNA barcoding reveals cryptic diversity, taxonomic conflicts and novel biogeographical insights inCystoseiras.l. (Phaeophyceae)

The Lush Fucales Underwater Forests off the Cilento Coast: An Overlooked Mediterranean Biodiversity Hotspot

“…and “CIL3A ( Cystoseira crinitophylla ) (in Table 1 ) were respectively assigned to E. brachycarpa and E. crinita/barbatula MOTUs based on previously published sequence data. Taxonomic conflicts within the Ericaria crinita lineage (which also includes E. barbatula , E. giacconei , E. corniculata , E. brachycarpa, E. balearica, and E. crinitophylla ) have been raised in recent taxonomic studies based on morphological, sequence and species delimitation methods [ 12 , 67 , 68 ], pinpointing the taxonomic difficulties of the group. Samples of Gongolaria elegans were also recovered as belonging to Gongolaria sp.…”

“…Several samples of Cystoseira s.l. from Cilento were sequenced for the barcoding marker cox1 using the primer pairs GAZ2 [ 59 ] and cox1-789F/cox1-1378R [ 60 ] and the amplification conditions described by Neiva et al [ 12 ]. Fragments were sequenced in a ABI PRISM 3130xl automated capillary sequencer (Applied Biosystems, Waltham, MA, USA) at CCMAR, Portugal.…”

“…Fragments were sequenced in a ABI PRISM 3130xl automated capillary sequencer (Applied Biosystems, Waltham, MA, USA) at CCMAR, Portugal. Sequences were aligned and proofread to previously published cox1 sequences ([ 12 ] and references therein) in Geneious Prime 2020 ( , accessed on 20 May 2022). Nomenclature follows Algaebase ([ 61 ] and references therein).…”

“…In the Mediterranean Sea, the dominant canopy-forming species belong to the genera Cystoseira sensu lato ( s.l .) (i.e., Cystoseira sensu stricto , Ericaria , and Gongolaria [ 12 ]) and Sargassum C. Agardh. These two groups are the most diverse among fucalean macrophytes, and their high morphological variability has hindered taxonomic identification based exclusively on a morphological [ 13 , 14 ].…”

“…These two groups are the most diverse among fucalean macrophytes, and their high morphological variability has hindered taxonomic identification based exclusively on a morphological [ 13 , 14 ]. Indeed, molecular barcoding has been increasingly used to circumscribe and identify taxonomically difficult groups of algae with a high genetic diversity, such as Cystoseira s.l ., for which a large cox1 reference database has recently been developed [ 12 ]. These studies are essential since issues in species identification can potentially affect biodiversity baselines and ultimately misdirect conservation focus and actions.…”