A NEW LOOK AT AN ANCIENT ORDER: GENERIC REVISION OF THE BANGIALES (RHODOPHYTA)¹

Abstract

The red algal order Bangiales has been revised as a result of detailed regional studies and the development of expert local knowledge of Bangiales floras, followed by collaborative global analyses based on wide taxon sampling and molecular analyses. Combined analyses of the nuclear SSU rRNA gene and the plastid RUBISCO LSU (rbcL) gene for 157 Bangiales taxa have been conducted. Fifteen genera of Bangiales, seven filamentous and eight foliose, are recognized. This classification includes five newly described and two resurrected genera. This revision constitutes a major change in understanding relationships and evolution in this order. The genus Porphyra is now restricted to five described species and a number of undescribed species. Other foliose taxa previously placed in Porphyra are now recognized to belong to the genera Boreophyllum gen. nov., Clymene gen. nov., Fuscifolium gen. nov., Lysithea gen. nov., Miuraea gen. nov., Pyropia, and Wildemania. Four of the seven filamentous genera recognized in our analyses already have generic names (Bangia, Dione, Minerva, and Pseudobangia), and are all currently monotypic. The unnamed filamentous genera are clearly composed of multiple species, and few of these species have names. Further research is required: the genus to which the marine taxon Bangia fuscopurpurea belongs is not known, and there are also a large number of species previously described as Porphyra for which nuclear SSU ribosomal RNA (nrSSU) or rbcL sequence data should be obtained so that they can be assigned to the appropriate genus.

Insights into the red algae and eukaryotic evolution from the genome of Porphyra umbilicalis (Bangiophyceae, Rhodophyta)

“…The ecological success of Porphyra and many of the closely related bangiophyceans (37,41) in the intertidal zone suggests that these species developed cellular mechanisms to cope with this harsh environment. In particular, Porphyra grows from the mid-to-high intertidal zone, where it is routinely exposed during daily low tides to high light, desiccation, and extreme fluctuations in temperature and salinity.…”

“…Red algae are usually ≤50-cm long and only a few species reach 2 m in length (36,37). Fungi cannot make parenchyma, but saprophytic mycelia grow to ≥50-m length (38).…”

New insights into the biodiversity and generic relationships of foliose Bangiales (Rhodophyta) in Iceland and the Faroe Islands

“…Before molecular methods were available, identifications were based primarily on reproductive, morphological and ecological characteristics, and the highly variable morphology made species identification and delimitation notoriously difficult. Now molecular markers can verify species identity and research is global in approach (Brodie et al, 2008;Sutherland et al, 2011). The geographical distributions of species can now be determined more accurately, and introduced species can be identified with more certainty (Neefus et al, 2008).…”

“…However, a molecular study by Sutherland et al (2011) splits them into eight genera. In this paper, we present our results in the context of this new classification, which includes the genera Boreophyllum, Pyropia and Wildemania, as well as Porphyra sensu stricto.…”

Offshore and Multi-Use Aquaculture with Extractive Species: Seaweeds and Bivalves

“…and Pyropia/Porphyra, which are well-established aquaculture species and whose nutrient uptake abilities are high compared to most other seaweeds (e.g. Chopin Kang et al 2014;Martinez-Aragon et al 2002;Neori et al 2000Neori et al , 2004Msuya and Neori 2008;Abreu et al 2013;Sutherland et al 2011). However, in the case of eco-intensification of offshore aquaculture operations, the macroalgae species additionally needs to be robust enough to withstand a high energy environment (Buck and Buchholz 2005).…”