Molecular Classification of the Genus Grateloupia(Halymeniaceae, Rhodophyta) in Korea

doi:2009.24.4.231

Algae > Volume 24(4); 2009 > Article

Algae 2009;24(4): 231-238. doi: https://doi.org/10.4490/ALGAE.2009.24.4.231

Ju Il Lee¹, Hyung Geun Kim¹, Paul John L. Geraldino², Il Ki Hwang³ and Sung Min Boo⁴^*

¹Department of Fishery, Gangneung-Wonju National University, Gangneung 210-702, Korea
²Department of Biology, University of San Carlos, Cebu City 6000, Philippines
³Seaweed Research Institute, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute, Mokpo 530-831, Korea
⁴Department of Biology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 305-764, Korea

ABSTRACT

The genus Grateloupia is the largest with more than 96 currently recognized species in the family Halymeniaceae, but morphological features of the genus are highly homoplasious making species identification difficult. In this study, we analyzed rbcL gene from 34 samples collected in Korea and compared the haplotypes of Korean species with those already published. The rbcL tree confirmed the occurrence of eight species in Korea: G. asiatica, G. catenata, G. divaricata, G. elliptica, G. imbricata, G. lanceolata, G. subpectina, and G. turuturu. All, except G. asiatica and G.catenata, been introduced from their native northeastern Asian waters to Australasian, European, and North American waters. The introduced haplotypes of G. lanceolata in Europe and North America were absent in Korea, while haplotype sharing of G. turuturu in Korea and Europe was common. Further sampling will show a source population of each introduced species and also provide a correct list of Grateloupia from Korea, including the other remaining 11 species of the genus. Grateloupia, Halymeniaceae, haplotype, Invasive specles, rbcL gene

Key words: Grateloupia, Halymeniaceae, haplotype, Invasive specles, rbcL gene