Systematics

Standard ecological and molecular research methods and techniques for Labyrinthula spp.

“…Progress has been made in classifying Labyrinthula in the context of other genera and families in this order (Pan et al, 2016;Pan et al, 2017). The most recent key developed to describe distinguishable morphological characteristics of species in this genus was prepared over 20 years ago (Dick, 2001). Genetic evidence for Labyrinthulomycetes species diversity has recently leaned more on barcoding-type approaches, but also ecological context, to establish speciation and develop a stable taxonomic key (Martin et al, 2016).…”

“…Tolerance to wide ranging ecological conditions and discoveries in advanced pathology support recognition of Labyrinthula as a model organism for studying infectious disease in halophytes (broadly defined here as salt-tolerant plants) across marine and terrestrial systems (Cienkowski, 1867;Watson and Raper, 1957;Pokorny, 1967;Dick, 2001;Olsen et al, 2003;Martin et al, 2016;Popova et al, 2020). Labyrinthula also plays an important and lesserknown role as a saprobic decomposer and remineralizer in coastal marine ecosystems, where researchers have discovered potential ecological value derived from its position in the food web, where it decomposes organic carbon and produces the nutritious fatty acid, DHA (Kumon et al, 2003;Armenta and Valentine, 2013;Yoshioka et al, 2019).…”