Characterization of Tetraselmis verrucosa f. rubens (Chlorodendrophyceae) strains from coastal lagoons of Western Greece using a multivariate approach

Abstract

Strains of Tetraselmis, a genus with systematic and biotechnological interest and one of the most prominent genera in marine phytoplankton, were studied. Five strains of T. verrucosa f. rubens, a taxon first documented in coastal lagoons of Greece, are examined herein under a multivariate approach i.e. in relation to their morphological variability under light and transmission electron microscopy (LM and TEM, respectively), and taking into account certain molecular and biochemical attributes as taxonomic markers, including the plastid-encoded rbcL and nuclear-encoded 18S rRNA gene sequences, and the fatty acid profile. The molecular markers were used to verify the phylogenetic position of the strains within the genus Tetraselmis and the class Chlorodendrophyceae. For that purpose, the original Tetraselmis verrucosa f. rubens isolate (CCAP strain 66/6) was included in the analysis. The molecular data are in agreement with the classification based on morphology. The five strains grouped firmly together and formed a monophyletic group with the original T. verrucosa f. rubens isolate. Lipid analysis of the strains was performed using the FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl-Ester) method and the resulting profile might be used as an additional taxonomic marker.

Biodiversity of symbiotic microalgae associated with meiofaunal marine acoels in Southern Japan

“…Specifically, isolate 5 and culture 57 from Kabira were closely related to T . verrucosa ( ), a free-living strain collected from Messolonghi, Greece ( Chantzistrountsiou et al, 2016 ). Both Japan isolates were well-nested within the T .…”

“…The red-orange coloration indicated that culture 57 is T . verrucosa f. rubens , however, measurements of both the position and distribution of the chloroplast is needed to identify these isolates ( Chantzistrountsiou et al, 2016 ; Hori, Norris & Chihara, 1983 ). Free-living T .…”

“…indica , and T . verrucosa ) have type strains for which both molecular and morphological data is available ( Arora et al, 2013 ; Chantzistrountsiou et al, 2016 ; Hyung et al, 2021 ). Moreover, different sequences with the same name ( T .…”

Polyphasic taxonomy of green algae strains isolated from Mediterranean freshwaters

“…In this study we report for the first time the isolation and polyphasic taxonomy of freshwater green algae strains from Greece belonging to the genera Desmodesmus , Chlorella , Spongiosarcinopsis and Uronema . A small number of Tetraselmis strains have been previously isolated from Greek lagoons [23] but freshwater species have been characterized mainly through microscopic observations [22, 24–27] or molecular cloning of the 18S rRNA gene [28, 29]. Most of the TAU-MAC strains (0810, 0910, 1010, 2810, 3110 and 3410) belong to the genus Desmodesmus , one of the most abundant genera in fresh to brackish waters all over the globe [30].…”

New Records of Tetraselmis sp. Strains with Biotechnological Potential Isolated from Greek Coastal Lagoons

“…In this framework, a sampling excursion took place in Vistonida Lake at the Nestos Delta lagoonal system in northern Greece, followed by the isolation and characterization of two Tetraselmis Stein (1878) strains. Tetraselmis as a genus is a typical representative of transitional ecosystems, while its biotechnological potential has been extensively reviewed (e.g., [4][5][6][7]). In the past few decades, the presence of the form Tetraselmis verrucosa f. rubens (Butcher) Hori, Norris, and Chihara (1983) has been verified in many Greek coastal lagoons and representatives of the taxon have been taxonomically and biochemically investigated [5].…”