ABSTRACT The Mediterranean Sea is a hotspot for introduced marine species, including seaweeds. Among red algae, Grateloupia, with no less than eight introduced species, occupies a prominent position. Here, we report a large foliose Grateloupia species collected in Eastern Harbour, Alexandria, Egypt, which had previously been reported as G. acuminata and G. doryphora. Comparison of rbcL gene sequences

ABSTRACT Nitrogen and carbon are commonly used to determine nutrient regimes and trophic structures within marine ecosystems. Macroalgae are convenient for assessing nutrient conditions via stable isotopes and tissue nutrient levels because of their ability to absorb and integrate ambient nutrients over extended time periods. Calcified macroalgae, such as Halimeda and Udotea spp, are common constituents

ABSTRACT To better understand the dynamics of the coralline algal thallus surface, scanning and transmission electron microscopy were used to examine the structure and development of epithallial cells and trichocyte initials in three species of Amphiroa. Epithallial cells possessed several distinctive organic wall layers. A densely fibrillar, moderately electron-dense layer completely surrounded each

ABSTRACT Routine DNA barcoding with the chloroplast gene tufA identified novel records of an unknown and denuded (i.e. lacking branchlets) Caulerpa species previously reported from the Florida Middle Grounds. tufA barcoding not only confirmed the matching molecular identity of this taxon with several newly collected denuded specimens from shallow habitats of the Yucatán shelf, but also with a set of

ABSTRACT The endemic Cladophoraceae of Lake Baikal are a group with high species richness, monophyly, and apparently recent speciation, making them ideal for the study of the genetic structure of an alga in this large freshwater environment. We analysed the population genetics of Chaetomorpha (= Ch.) moniliformis, Cladophora (= Cl.) compacta and Cl. kursanovii, using a set of eleven microsatellites

ABSTRACT A Calothrix-like cyanobacterial strain was isolated from a sample collected from the entrance zone of Shumyaschiy Ponor cave, Chelyabinsk Region, South Urals, Russia. This isolate showed diagnostic features of the recently described genus Roholtiella, i.e. chains of arthrospores and thalli not tapering to a hair. Molecular analyses based on 16S rRNA gene, 16S–23S internal transcribed spacer

ABSTRACT Bioconversion of Fe3+ to Fe0 followed by spindle shaped magneto-fluorescent nanoiron production has been investigated using Arthrospira platensis as a potential bio-reagent. The characteristic features, e.g. in situ localisation, magnetic and fluorescent properties of synthesised nanoparticles, were explored. Bioconversion occurred when healthy growing biomass of Arthrospira platensis was

ABSTRACT The common green alga Trentepohlia sp. was found growing as a biofilm on galvanised iron lamp posts where it was exposed to high zinc levels and periodic desiccation. Its sole water sources were rainfall and dewfall. Photosynthesis studies using PAM techniques showed that the alga was a shade-adapted species with a very low optimum irradiance (Eopt) of about 90 μmol photons m−2 s−1, and ETRmax

(2020). Tyge Christensen Prize 2019. Phycologia: Vol. 59, No. 6, pp. 463-463.

ABSTRACT The application of plant growth regulators is a new strategy for industrial cultivation of microalgae to enhance growth performance and synthesis of bio-products. In this study, changes in some growth indices, biochemical content, and fatty acid (FA) profile of Isochrysis galbana were investigated in response to 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D) at 0, 1, 2, 4 and 6 mg l−1. Based on

ABSTRACT The haptophyte genus Pseudohaptolina (formerly Chrysochromulina clade B1-3) currently harbours two species: Pseudohaptolina arctica and Pseudohaptolina sorokinii. In addition, Chrysochromulina birgeri is expected to belong to this genus due to its morphological similarity to P. sorokinii, but it has not yet been genetically characterised. A strain belonging to Pseudohaptolina was brought into

ABSTRACT A new diatom genus, Gololobovia gen. nov., is described from ancient Lake Baikal on the basis of light and scanning electron microscopy of its valves. The new genus has a single raphe per frustule and can be assigned to Achnanthidiaceae. Two species are described as new for science from Lake Baikal. These are Gololobovia mariae sp. nov. and Gololobovia baicalensis sp. nov. These species share

ABSTRACT Two strains of Prorocentrum texanum (LPCc020 and LPCc032) were established from coastal waters of the Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Field and cultured materials were examined using light and scanning electron microscopy, and the planktonic species Prorocentrum texanum, a known okadaic acid producer, was identified. We compared morphology, genetics and toxin profile of P. texanum based

ABSTRACT The green alga Chlorella sp. and the filamentous cyanobacterium Leptolyngbya sp., regularly cope with various stressors including frequent hydration–desiccation cycles. When grown in axenic cultures, Chlorella sp. is unable to resurrect even after very slow desiccation unless desiccation takes place in the presence of Leptolyngbya sp. or a lysate thereof. When Chlorella sp. was provided with

ABSTRACT One species of the red algal genus Devaleraea, D. stenogona, shows remarkable phenotypic plasticity over its geographic range. We assumed this species to be a complex of morphologically close species. To resolve this issue, we sequenced the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, including the 5.8S rDNA, rbcL, and 5′ end of the COI gene (COI-5′) of specimens of D. stenogona sensu lato from

ABSTRACT A large collection of old membrane filters from the American cruises of the R/V Vema and R/V Robert D. Conrad has been recently curated and provides a unique opportunity to study microplankton distribution in the 1960s. Filters from the subarctic Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea collected in May–July 1964 and June–Aug 1966 were observed in detail for the first time using scanning electron microscopy

ABSTRACT Species of the genus Lithophyllum are important carbonate producers and bioconstructors. In recent years, molecular studies focusing on this genus have unravelled several striking cases of cryptic and pseudocryptic diversity. Lithophyllum racemus is a common non-geniculate coralline alga-forming rhodoliths in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Molecular phylogenies

ABSTRACT Because morphological variation in Gayliella species is extensive, a molecular-assisted taxonomic approach is essential for accurate species identification. In China, six Gayliella species have been recorded, but no molecular-assisted identification has been used. In this study, we used detailed morphological analyses combined with rbcL and cox1 sequence analyses to identify Gayliella specimens

ABSTRACT Tropical environments comprise some of the largest megadiverse centres on earth, and yet, even in the face of rapid biodiversity loss, a lack of knowledge of such areas prevails today. Paraguay is a landlocked, tropical country, which still holds enormous forested areas despite intense degradation. The country shows enormous potential algal biodiversity. We searched published records of algal

ABSTRACT Host–pathogen interactions involving microalgae have attracted more and more interest over the past decade. In order to understand interactions between those two partners and as basis of each single experiment, biological material in the form of cultures is crucial. Whereas the establishment of such cultures can by itself be very difficult and time-consuming, their subsequent maintenance often

ABSTRACT The Laguna Madre-Tamaulipas is the world’s largest hypersaline lagoon and is equally located in south Texas, USA, and Tamaulipas, Mexico. Over 40% of its American surface area is covered by wind-tidal sand flats containing cyanobacteria as the major autotrophic component of the microbial community. A recent laboratory examination of these microbial mats revealed the presence of a boring, filamentous

ABSTRACT The two genera Planktosphaeria (the type Pl. gelatinosa G.M.Smith) and Follicularia (the type F. paradoxalis Miller) have numerous chloroplast segments, each with a single pyrenoid. Autospore reproduction was described only in Planktosphaeria; whereas naked, biflagellate zoospores were known in Follicularia. The generic circumscription of Planktosphaeria was once changed to zoospore-producing

ABSTRACT Staurastrum gracile is a highly polymorphic species that overlaps morphologically with other species of the genus. The observation of some reproductive features, such as zygospore development, is necessary for correct identification of some Staurastrum species. This study describes the sexual and asexual reproduction of S. gracile in culture and emphasises the importance of characters observed

ABSTRACT Medlin tested multiple outgroups with 18S rRNA dataset and found that haptophytes, ciliates, prasinophytes, and chlorophytes recovered monophyletic Coscinodiscophyceae, Mediophyceae, Bacillariophyceae (CMB) with strong BT (bootstrap) support. Theriot et al. added six plastid genes to the diatom dataset but with only one outgroup, Bolidomonas, and omitted most of the V4 region of that gene

ABSTRACT Identification of foliose red algae is particularly problematic as many of the characters used, such as general overall habit, colour, and texture, are often dependent on environmental or developmental characteristics of the specimen in question. One foliose red algal genus that has received little attention and is quite common in parts of New Zealand is Tsengia. Collections of multiple foliose

ABSTRACT Two of the four currently recognised species of Phymatolithon in South Africa are P. repandum (type locality: Half Moon Bay, Port Philip Bay, Victoria, Australia) and P. ferox (type locality: Natal, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa). Partial rbcL sequences of the lectotype of P. repandum and the holotype of P. ferox demonstrate that the former is not present in South Africa and does not belong

ABSTRACT The genus Acanthogonyaulax (Kofoid) H.W.Graham is a rarely observed tropical gonyaulacoid dinoflagellate, first documented at the end of the 19th century. It was initially described as a species of Ceratocorys F.Stein, then transferred to Gonyaulax Diesing, and finally to its own genus, Acanthogonyaulax. Discrepancies in the observations of its plate pattern were responsible for these changes

(2020). Book Review. Phycologia: Vol. 59, No. 5, pp. 460-462.

ABSTRACT Selection of suitable reference genes is important for relative quantification in quantitative PCR (qPCR). We investigated the expression stability of candidate reference genes for qPCR in the raphidophyte Chattonella marina at different irradiance, temperature, and oxidative stress conditions, and in different growth phases. Nine candidate reference genes (18S rRNA, cytochrome c oxidase subunit

ABSTRACT Two cyanobacterial strains developed morphology characteristic of Nostochopsis, i.e. with many heterocysts in side branches when grown in low phosphate medium. When grown in high phosphate medium both strains developed morphology characteristic of Fischerella muscicola. The converse did not occur with two culture strains classified as Fischerella in that neither developed Nostochopsis morphology

ABSTRACT Thecadinium ovatum is one of the four species of Thecadinium sensu lato which has no apical pore, but has a ventral pore on the first apical plate, an unusual ‘multi-pimple-plate’ in the precingular series, and an antapical plate with several spines. Its original thecal plate formula was 3ʹ 6ʹʹ 6c 5s? 5ʹʹʹ 1ʹʹʹʹ. Morphological examination of cells from the Sea of Japan showed that T. ovatum

ABSTRACT Some species of Rhizosolenia form intense blooms, known as red tides, in Japanese coastal waters. In Tokyo Bay, Rhizosolenia setigera frequently causes red tides and sometimes causes discolouration of Pyropia in nori farms. However, little is known about the growth characteristics of R. setigera in Tokyo Bay. We evaluated the effects of temperature, salinity, and irradiance on the growth of

The green algal genus Oncosaccus, endemic to China, has previously been classified in Chlamydomondales (Chlorophyceae). In the present study, two green algal specimens from west China were identified as Oncosaccus tetrasporoides due to their unique colonial form with numerous cells embedded in a thick gelatinous envelope without perforations and pseudocilia. Molecular data from two nuclear loci (18S

ABSTRACT Members of the genus Cladocopium are the most ecologically dominant and geographically widespread group of mutualistic dinoflagellates. The addition of species descriptions to this newly erected genus should stimulate scientific investigations and communication about the biology of these important symbionts. Here we combine morphology and genetic evidence with ecology to formally describe

ABSTRACT Xanthophyceae (Stramenopiles) are common microalgae in soil habitats, but not commonly known from maritime sandy habitats. Here we studied the genetic diversity of nine new isolates of Xanthophyceae from coastal habitats using two chloroplast-encoded markers. The isolates exhibited only three morphotypes. The sequence comparisons uncovered a respectable phylogenetic diversity, including novel

ABSTRACT Using an integrated taxonomic approach, DNA sequencing of field-collected and historical type specimens, as well as morpho-anatomical characters and species’ ecology and biogeography, we reassessed the single-most ecologically important non-geniculate coralline algal genus, Spongites, in South Africa. DNA sequences (psbA, rbcL) from type and recently collected specimens formed well-supported

ABSTRACT Eucheuma perplexum is based on specimens from Patotsu, Taiwan. This species is morphologically difficult to distinguish from other eucheumatoids that exhibit a broad range of habit forms, particularly Betaphycus gelatinus, Eucheuma denticulatum, and E. serra. Here, the Philippine and topotype specimens of E. perplexum have been examined, their distinguishing morphological features highlighted

Staurastrum gracile is a highly polymorphic species that overlaps morphologically with other species of the genus. The observation of some reproductive features, such as zygospore development, is necessary for correct identification of some Staurastrum species. This study describes the sexual and asexual reproduction of S. gracile in culture and emphasises the importance of characters observed in the

(2020). Molecular phylogeny and ultrastructure of two novel parasitic dinoflagellates, Haplozoon gracile sp. nov. and ​H. pugnus sp. nov.. Phycologia: Vol. 59, No. 4, pp. 305-319.

We studied how ecological factors affect species composition and structure of soil algal assemblages in different types of mountain tundra and sparse forests in the Northern Urals. Soil moisture, pH, nitrogen content and amount of solar radiation were determined using Ellenberg indicator values from phytoindicators. Species identification of soil algae was made using light microscopy following algal

(2020). Molecular phylogeny and biogeography of Ecklonia spp. (Laminariales, Phaeophyceae) in Japan revealed taxonomic revision of E. kurome and E. stolonifera. Phycologia: Vol. 59, No. 4, pp. 330-339.

Local isolates of the species-rich, fast-growing chlorophyte genus Oedogonium have been employed in outdoor biomass cultivation for industrial applications such as wastewater remediation, but such isolates may not express structural traits needed for definitive species identification by microscopy alone. We used maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic methods to evaluate molecular marker gene

A small red alga was isolated into culture from rhodoliths collected on the Piauí coast, northeastern Brazil. Molecular data from the plastid-encoded rbcL gene, combined with morphological and ultrastructural evidence, demonstrated that it belongs to the genus Rhodachlya and supports the proposal of a new species, R. westii. The new species was characterised by basal and erect uniseriate filaments

Ancient lakes are centres of adaptive radiation and speciation. The Cladophoraceae endemic to ancient Lake Baikal is a morphologically diverse group nested within Rhizoclonium that may represent a case of sympatric speciation. Recent research using ribosomal DNA markers indicates that these taxa form a monophyletic group but was not able to resolve boundaries between all of the investigated morphospecies

(2020). Genetic data support reproductively isolated species in the endemic Cladophoraceae (Chlorophyta) of Lake Baikal, Russia. Phycologia: Vol. 59, No. 4, pp. 365-374.

Understanding the physiological responses of kelp to environmental parameters is essential for the conservation of natural kelp beds and increased cultivation yield. We investigated the effects of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and temperature on photosynthesis of a subarctic edible brown alga, Saccharina sculpera (Laminariales), using pulse amplitude modulation (PAM)–chlorophyll fluorometry

The two genera Planktosphaeria (the type Pl. gelatinosa G.M.Smith) and Follicularia (the type F. paradoxalis Miller) have numerous chloroplast segments, each with a single pyrenoid. Autospore reproduction was described only in Planktosphaeria; whereas naked, biflagellate zoospores were known in Follicularia. The generic circumscription of Planktosphaeria was once changed to zoospore-producing forms

ABSTRACT A Gymnodinium-like dinoflagellate, Kirithra sigma sp. nov., was isolated from Jiaozhou Bay, China, and the southern coast of Korea, and examined by light, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy. Pigment composition and nuclear-encoded partial large subunit ribosomal RNA (LSU rRNA) gene were determined. Cells were oval-shaped (26.4‒36.4 μm long and 17.7‒27.2 μm wide), with a conical

The marine red macroalga Gracilaria lemaneiformis usually experiences a changing carbonate system during mariculture. Thalli of G. lemaneiformis collected from Nanao Island, Shantou, China, were cultured in six treatments, with two inorganic carbon (Ci) levels (ambient-Ci, AC; elevated-Ci, EC) and three pH levels (8.2, 9.0, and 9.4), to examine the influence of increased Ci concentrations and high

Several species of Sargassum have been reported from the Yucatan peninsula coast, many of which end up as beach cast material, accumulating on the coast during colder months. The phenotypic plasticity of Sargassum makes specimen identification difficult. Two approaches were used in the current study to corroborate identification of the most abundant species: traditional taxonomic characters, and chemical

Kappaphycus alvarezii is one of the most farmed algae globally. It is used almost exclusively for the carrageenan industry, although there is increasing interest in its biotechnological application as a natural product with biological properties. This cultivated species produces different strains with distinct chemical and physiological properties. Despite this, K. alvarezii has been marketed as a

(2020). Correction. Phycologia: Vol. 59, No. 3, pp. 280-280.

Local isolates of the species-rich, fast-growing chlorophyte genus Oedogonium have been employed in outdoor biomass cultivation for industrial applications such as wastewater remediation, but such isolates may not express structural traits needed for definitive species identification by microscopy alone. We used maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic methods to evaluate molecular marker gene

(2020). Molecular and morphological characterisation of Melanothamnus testudinis sp. nov. (Rhodophyta, Rhodomelaceae) and its distinction from Polysiphonia carettia. Phycologia: Vol. 59, No. 4, pp. 281-291.

(2020). Diatoms on sea turtles and floating debris in the Persian Gulf (Western Asia) Phycologia: Vol. 59, No. 4, pp. 292-304.

(2020). List of reviewers - 2019. Phycologia: Vol. 59, No. 2, pp. 1-2.

Using mitochondrial COI-5P and plastid rbcL sequences, as well as morphological characteristics, two new species of Solieriaceae are added to the flora of Bermuda. Specimens collected over the past two decades representing those distributed in the early exsiccata, Phycotheca boreali-americana as Eucheuma gelidium (= Meristotheca gelidium) are shown to be a unique species of Meristotheca, M. odontoloma

In the current study, 334 specimens of Pterocladiella from China representing historical herbarium specimens and recent field collections were re-examined based upon morphological and molecular data analyses. Both datasets revealed the presence of P. beachiae, P. capillacea, P. caerulescens, and P. musciformis. Of these species, P. beachiae and P. musciformis were new records for China. Pterocladiella

Cryptophytes are a ubiquitous algal group and are important primary producers in aquatic ecosystems. Identification of lineages within the group is difficult because of their simple morphology and they are often enumerated at the class level in ecological research. Despite the increasing number of molecular probes used for identification of microorganisms, rRNA genes (i.e. nuclear 18S, ITS, and 28S

Ostreopsis mascarenensis is a toxic dinoflagellate described from the Indian Ocean based only on morphology, without molecular data. Morphological features of Ostreopsis have poor taxonomic value, and the addition of genetic data would ensure correct species identification. The present study reinvestigated field samples from Réunion Island and the western Indian Ocean to validate morphological and