GENETIC STRUCTURE OF NATURAL POPULATIONS IN THE RED ALGAEGELIDIUM CANARIENSE(GELIDIALES, RHODOPHYTA) INVESTIGATED BY RANDOM AMPLIFIED POLYMORPHIC DNA (RAPD) MARKERS¹

Abstract

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) marker variation was analyzed in female gametophytes in natural populations of Gelidium canariense (Grunow) Seoane‐Camba ex Haroun, Gil‐Rodríguez, Diaz de Castro et Prud'Homme van Reine from the Canary Islands to estimate the degree and distribution of genetic variability and differentiation. A total of 190 haploid individuals were analyzed with 60 polymorphic RAPDs bands which produced 190 distinct multilocus genotypes. A high level of polymorphism was detected in all populations analyzed. Within‐population gene diversity ranged from 0.156 to 0.264. The populations on the island of Gran Canaria showed higher genetic variation than the other populations analyzed. The partitioning of molecular variance by analysis of molecular variance showed that most genetic variation resides within populations (68.85%). These results suggest that sexual reproduction is the predominant mode of reproduction for G. canariense gametophytic populations, and the main determinant in reaching high levels of genetic diversity. The Neighbor‐Joining tree and FCA analysis displayed two subclusters that correspond to the populations from the western islands (Tenerife, La Palma, Gomera) and the eastern island (Gran Canaria). In addition, we have detected a significant relationship between FST/(1−FST) and geographical distance consistent with data on water circulation and age of islands. The results obtained agree with an isolation by distance model, with gene flow from eastern to the western islands, and a high level of genetic differentiation between populations (FST=0.311, P<0.001).

Morphological and genetic variability among Ecklonia cava (Laminariales, Phaeophyceae) populations in Korea

“…RAPD markers, along with appropriate statistical procedures, are suitable for genetic variation analyses at both intra-and inter-population levels (e.g., Faugeron et al 2001, Bouza et al 2006, Larkin et al 2006. In the present study, the marker technology has been employed in combination with morphological characteristics to detect genetic variation and population structure of E. cava from Korea, and has once again demonstrated its usefulness in gaining information quickly in a previously less-studied species.…”

“…Morphological variation influenced by characteristic habitat features is common among brown algae (e.g., Rice and Kenchington 1990, Wernberg et al 2003, Macinnis-Ng et al 2005, Matson and Edwards 2006 and thereby makes identification of species difficult on searches have been performed (e.g., Van Oppen et al 1996, Coyer et al 1997, the use of RAPD for small-scale geographical research is inadequate and, when a large number of markers are included and the analysis is restricted to taxa in which band homology assessments are confidently made (conspecific populations). The results of RAPD assessments may be successfully incorporated into evaluation of inter-and intrapopulation differentiation of natural populations (see reviews in Bouza et al 2006).…”

“…When genetic variations occur, reproductive performance and survival against stochastic events are significantly improved (Frankham 1996, Frankham et al 2002. The patterns of genetic variation and population structure are very important to the ecology and evolution research, allowing greater understanding into the transmission of genes from generation to generation, and a prediction of long-term survival and the continued evolution of populations and species (Sosa et al 2002, Bouza et al 2006. Therefore, molecular makers are a valuable tool in understanding and predicting the mechanisms that cause interpopulational genetic differentiation.…”

“…Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) is a method that reveals genetic variability within a species and elucidates differences at the population level in diverse marine plants such as microalgae González 2001, 2004), seagrasses (Larkin et al 2006), and seaweeds (Bouza et al 2006). The strengths and weaknesses of RAPD method have been widely debated (e.g., Hadrys et al 1992, Sunnucks 2000.…”

Vulcanochloris (Trebouxiales, Trebouxiophyceae), a new genus of lichen photobiont from La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain

“…Among the free-living algae attention was almost exclusively paid to marine representatives (Bouza et al 2006, García-Jiménez et al 2008, Cassano et al 2012. The diversity of lichenized algae has been studied only marginally, as a part of the studies investigating the photobiont diversity of Tephromela atra (Hudson 1762: 445) Hafellner (1983: No.…”