• ALGAE
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.417-423
• /
• 2006

Morphology and molecular phylogeny of a red algal species, Hypnea flexicaulis that is recently described from Japan, were investigated based on 23 collections from Korea (21), Taiwan (1), and the Philippines (1). Hypnea flexicaulis has percurrent axes with flexuous, antler-like branches which have wide branching angles, and abaxially curved ultimate branchlets. In order to study DNA divergence and phylogenetic relationships of the species, we determined plastid rbcL and mitochondrial cox1 sequences from the 23 collections. All 21 specimens from five different locations in Korea were almost identical to H. flexicaulis from Japan in rbcL sequences. Although there was a difference of three to five base pairs (bp) between samples from Korea and the Philippines or between the Philippines and Taiwan, Bayesian analyses of the rbcL data showed that all specimens from Korea, Japan, the Philippines, and Taiwan were strongly monophyletic. However, it is interesting that specimens from the Philippines differed by 31-34 base pairs in mitochondrial cox1 gene from those of materials from Korea and Taiwan, which differed by one to seven bp in rbcL between them. Although H. boergesenii is different from H. flexicaulis in having many antler-like branchlets, both appeared as sisters in all analyses of the rbcL data. This is the first report of H. flexicaulis from Korea based on morphology, rbcL, and cox1 gene sequences.

• ALGAE
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.175-183
• /
• 2006

Recent phylogenetic studies of scytosiphonacean brown algae show many conflicts with current classification. In order to clearly define the phylogenetic relationships of the family, we newly sequenced the photosystem I coding psaA gene (1488 base pairs) from 13 taxa (15 samples), of the family, and, for comparison, rbcL from four taxa. The psaA region has more informative sites (17.9%) than the rbcL (13.1%) and the number of nodes supported by over 50% bootstrap values is more in the psaA phylogeny (53 /57 nodes; 93%) than in the rbcL (47/63 nodes; 74.6%). The psaA phylogenies are basically congruent with the rbcL trees, recognizing two major groups in the monophyletic Scytosiphonaceae. The first group included Myelophycus, Petalonia, Scytosiphon, and elongate sack-shaped species of Colpomenia, primarily cold temperate elements with unilocular zoidangia on sporophytes. The second group, although not resolved, consisted of Hydroclathrus, Chnoospora, Rosenvingea, and ball-shaped Colpomenia, primarily warm-temperate taxa with both unilocular and plurilocular zoidangia on sporophytes. Chnoospora is not monophyletic, as was previously shown the paraphyly of Colpomenia, Petalonia, and Scytosiphon. Hydroclathrus clathratus from Korea and Japan was not monophyletic. Our studies show that gametophytic characters are the main source of conflict for the present taxonomy of the family. The psaA region is a useful tool for resolution of phylogenetic relationships within the Scytosiphonaceae.

• ALGAE
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.15-23
• /
• 2005

Polysiphonia pacifica is rhodomelaceous red algal species that includes five varieties in Pacific Ocean: P. pacifica var. delicatula, P. pacifica var. distans, P. pacifica var. determinata, P. pacifica var. disticha, and P. pacifica var. gracilis. We here report morphology and phylogeny of P. pacifica to confirm the relationships among previously described varieties as a loan of type specimens from US and to assess phylogenetic relationships of closely related species using plastid protein-coding rbcL gene. Polysiphonia pacifica is distinguished by having creeping filaments attached by unicellular rhizoids not cut off by cross walls, four pericentral cells, ecorticate, trichoblasts rare, ultimate branchlets attenuate at the tip but not pungent, and tetrasporangia in long straight series in the ultimate branchlets. The protein-coding plastid rbcL gene sequence data show that P. pacifica is distinctly different from the superficially similar species, P. morrowii and P. stricta. However, the rbcL sequences of P. pacifica var. pacifica and var. disticha are identical though they have morphological variation.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.60-66
• /
• 2004

This study was carried out to confirm the phylogenetic relationships in Korean Rhus species. Sequences from internal transcribed spacers (ITS) of nuclear ribosomal DNA and rbcL gene of chloroplast DNA were determined. Cotinus coggygria was selected as outgroup because it is closest allied with Rhus in Anacardiaceae. Also, ingroup was limited as six Korean Rhus species. ITS 1 sequences in six species of Rhus and one species of Cotinus ranged from 246 to 253 bp and ITS 2 sequences from 234 to 244 bp. Concerning the G+C content of the studied taxa, ITS 1 sequences ranged from 58.0 to 68.13% and ITS 2 from 59.75 to 68.46%. On the other hand, rbcL sequences were same size in the all species examined by 1,428 bp. G+C contents of rbcL sequences were ranged from 43.56 to 43.77% which means there are nearly no different from interspecies each other. Phylogenetic tree strongly supports the colse relationships between R. succedanea and R. sylvestris. Rhus javanica and Cotinus coggygria were also closely allied with each other in ITS and rbcL trees. Therefore, R. javanica was regarded as most primitive species among the Korean Rhus species. ITS 1 region of nuclear ribosomal DNA was suggested as very useful taxonomical marker for genus Rhus.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
• /
• v.40 no.4
• /
• pp.208-217
• /
• 2010

Crossosomatales is a recently recognized order in the rosid II clade with about 64 species in eight morphologically distinct families that have been previously classified in as many as 15 other orders. Phylogenetic relationships among the families and genera within Crossosomatales were investigated using chloroplast atpB, matK, and rbcL sequences employing maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian methods. The phylogenetic framework was used to examine the patterns of morphological evolution and synapomorphies for subclades within Crossosomatales. The combined data with representative species from all genera in the order strongly supported monophyly of Crossosomatales. Strong support was found for the families in the Southern Hemisphere, in which Aphloiaceae is sister to the clade of (Geissolomataceae, (Ixerbaceae + Strasburgeriaceae)). The sister relationship between the Southern Hemisphere clade and families distributed primarily in the Northern Hemisphere was also supported. As in the previous studies, following relationships were found within the Northern Hemisphere clade: Staphyleaceae is sister to a clade of (Guamatelaceae, (Stachyuraceae + Crossosomataceae)). The pattern analysis indicates that evolutionary pattern of morphological characters is complex, requiring multiple changes within Crossosomatales. Several reproductive traits, such as inflorescence, aril, stigma, and conspicuous protrusion from pollen aperture, corroborate the molecular phylogeny.

• ALGAE
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.1-13
• /
• 2014

The genus Erythroglossum is characterized by Phycodrys-type apical organization, Polyneura-type procarp, and the presence of a midrib. We collected an unidentified Delesseriaceaen species from deep water off the southern coast of the Korean Peninsula. This alga resembles Polyneura japonica in terms of having broadly flattened thalli with a cylindrical stipe, the presence of a midrib and alternative lateral veins. To confirm the taxonomic status of this entity, we compared the morphological features and rbcL sequences among other species of Erythroglossum and P. japonica. As a result, we assigned the new species, Erythroglossum hyacinthinum, to the genus Erythroglossum because of the presence of a midrib. This species is characterized by an elliptical to obovate blade with a short cylindrical stipe, a conspicuous midrib and alternate veins, margins with numerous microscopic dentations, di-trichotomously branching, and bulish-violet iridescence. The phylogeny of rbcL sequences indicates that E. hyacinthinum is definitely a separate entity, but the genera in the tribe Phycodryeae have inconsistent phylogenetic relationships. This is the first study comparing the molecular phylogeny within the genus Erythroglossum.

• ALGAE
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.287-294
• /
• 2006

Neosiphonia japonica is a rhodomelacean red alga that occurs in Korea, Japan, China, far-east Russia, northwest America, and New Zealand. Although it is distinguished by a bush-like habit having four pericental cells with cortication and numerous branches on axes, the taxonomy of N. japonica is still problematic. To investigate the taxonomy and phylogeny of the species, we analyzed rbcL and phycoerythrin (cpeA/B) genes from 19 samples of N. japonica and putative relatives. Phylogenetic trees from both genes show that N. japonica from Korea, Japan, New Zealand, and USA is clearly separated from N. decumbens, N. harlandii, and N. flavimarina from the Pacific Ocean. Instead, N. harveyi from the Atlantic Ocean was more related to N. flavimarina than to N. japonica. This result supports morphological and distributional differences between N. japonica and N. harveyi. However, the close relationship between these species suggests that they might have a recent most common ancestor. This is the second report to use the cpeA/B gene for evaluating species diversity in the Rhodophytes.

• ALGAE
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.83-94
• /
• 2012

The taxonomic distinctiveness and cosmopolitan distributions of the red algae $Gelidium$ $crinale$ and $G.$ $pusillum$ remain unclear. Both species were first described in Devon in southwestern England; namely in Ilfracome for $G.$ $crinale$ and Sidmouth for $G.$ $pusillum$. We analyzed mitochondrial $cox$1 and plastid $rbc$L sequences from specimens collected in East Asia, Australia, Europe and North America. In all phylogenetic analyses of $cox$1 and $rbc$L sequences, $G.$ $crinale$ was distinct from congeners of the genus. The analyses also revealed a sister relationship with the $G.$ $coulteri$ and $G.$ $capense$ clade. Nineteen $cox$1 haplotypes were identified for $G.$ $crinale$, and they were likely geographically structured. Despite the distinctiveness in both $cox$1 and $rbc$L datasets, the sister relationship of $G.$ $pusillum$ in the genus was not resolved. Our $cox$1 and $rbc$L datasets indicate that $G.$ $crinale$ is a cosmopolitan species, found in East Asia, Australia, Europe and North America, while the distribution of $G.$ $pusillum$ is restricted to Europe and Atlantic North America. Our results suggest that infraspecific classification of $G.$ $pusillum$ may be abandoned.

• ALGAE
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.91-101
• /
• 2006

Despite continued studies on red algal flora in Korea, the taxonomy of the tiny ceramiaceous algae has received little attention. We report for the first time Griffithsia okiensis from Korea on the basis of morphology and molecular data. The species is small in thalli height (0.3-1.5 cm), and in diameter of vegetative cells (50-500 μm), and the ratio of cell length/breadth is 2-3 times. It has two carpogonial branches from the supporting cell of procarp. We generated psbA and rbcL sequences from ten specimens of G. okiensis isolated from Korea and Japan and from one G. japonica species isolated Japan. Eight specimens of G. okiensis from Korea were almost identical in both psbA and rbcL regions, nevertheless they differed from Japanese specimens by 4 ucleotides in psbA and 7 in rbcL. In all analyses of psbA, rbcL, and psbA + rbcL data sets, G. okiensis was determined to be a different species from G. japonica isolated from Japan, although both species showed a sister relationship. For all that extensive collection trips, we found no evidence for the occurrence of G. japonica in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.35 no.3
• /
• pp.319-328
• /
• 2017

The continuous exploration in deep seawater from Korea makes us lead the discovery of ancient Chlorophyta, Palmophyllum, in the Korean coast. The phylogenetic analyses of 18S rRNA and rbcL genes demonstrate that our specimens are Palmophyllum crassum (Naccari) Rabenhorst, recorded in Japan and clearly distinguished from P. umbracola from New Zealand and California, USA. Palmophyllum crassum grows in the subtidal region, 8-30 m deep, and has a crustose thallus which is closely adherent to substrates such as non-geniculate crustose coralline algae, sponge, shells, or rocks. P. crassum is composed of numerous spherical cells embedded in the gelatinous matrix. The discovery of this ancient green seaweed implies that the Korean coast is one of the hotspots of algal species diversity and has the suitable marine environment for algal speciation. We suggest the grounds to conserve the Korean coast environmentally as the biodiversity center of marine species by studying the phylogeny of seaweeds.