Shedding new light on old algae: Matching names and sequences in the brown algal genus Lobophora (Dictyotales, Phaeophyceae)

Abstract

The existence of massive cryptic diversity in algae makes linking DNA‐based lineages to existing taxa exceedingly difficult. A better integration of historical collections into modern taxonomic research is therefore highly desirable. Using the brown algal genus Lobophora as a test case, we explore the feasibility of linking taxonomic names to clades in modern phylogenies. Despite Lobophora being a pantropical genus with probably more than 100 species, traditionally only a handful of species have been recognized. In this study we reevaluated the identity of 17 historical taxa thought to belong to Lobophora by attempting DNA amplification of herbarium material as well as specimens recently collected from the type localities (epitypes). In an attempt to assign them to Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units, the obtained sequences were integrated in a global Lobophora phylogeny based upon data derived from more than 650 specimens. Our results indicate that although five sequences were obtained from type specimens, exclusive reliance on information preserved in type specimens is problematic. Epitype material proved a more successful way forward, but this route often comes with a considerable degree of uncertainty, especially in tropical regions where the extent of sympatry among Lobophora lineages is often considerable. More problematic from a broader perspective is the fact that for 35% of historical taxa, either the type could not be traced or permission was not granted to extract DNA from the types. Such a low accessibility rate may reduce our reliance on type material and jeopardize future efforts to integrate historical taxa into a framework of a modern DNA‐based taxonomy.

The systematics of Lobophora (Dictyotales, Phaeophyceae) in the western Atlantic and eastern Pacific oceans: eight new species

“…Some of the specimens used to describe new Lobophora species in this study (= LAF samples) were previously included in other Lobophora investigations (see Vieira et al. , ; Table in the Supporting Information). Collections were made from diverse habitats and from the intertidal to 90 m depths across different seasons, using snorkeling, SCUBA diving or by vessel‐deployed Hourglass‐design box dredging (Joyce and Williams , Felder et al.…”

“…For example, an undescribed species has been reported growing epiphytically on the prop roots of red mangroves in Belize (Coen and Tanner ), and L. variegata has also been found growing on Thalassia testudinum leaves in the Florida Keys (Vieira et al. ).…”

“…Lamouroux) Womersley ex Oliveira, 1977,” a species now known to be restricted to parts of the Caribbean (Vieira et al. ).…”

Conspectus of the Benthic Marine Algae of the Gulf of California: Rhodophyta, Phaeophyceae, and Chlorophyta

“…Recent molecular systematic studies of specimens assumed to be a broadly defined "Lobophora variegata" (Sun et al, 2012;Vieira et al, 2014Vieira et al, , 2016Schultz et al, 2015) have revealed numerous new species that were previously misidentified or unrecognized. The species L. variegata is likely restricted to the Caribbean Sea (Schultz et al, 2015;Vieira et al, 2016).…”

“…The species L. variegata is likely restricted to the Caribbean Sea (Schultz et al, 2015;Vieira et al, 2016). Vieira et al (2016Vieira et al ( , 2017) estimated there are more than 100 species of Lobophora, of which only 21−30 species are currently recognized. The Gulf of California specimens referred to "L. variegata" should be critically studied and molecularly compared to determine their correct identity and if there is possibly more than one species in the Gulf.…”