Lithophyllum species from Brazilian coast: range extension of Lithophyllum margaritae and description of Lithophyllum atlanticum sp. nov. (Corallinales, Corallinophycidae, Rhodophyta)

Abstract

Coralline algae (Corallinophycidae, Rhodophyta) are primarily characterized by the impregnation of calcium carbonate (calcite) in their cell walls. To determine the systematic position of genera and species, researchers are increasingly combining anatomical studies with comparisons of DNA sequences. In the present study we have described the main representatives of the genus Lithophyllum in intertidal and subtidal habitats from the southern coast of Brazil based on anatomical studies, supported by molecular markers. Analyses were conducted on specimens collected from five sites along the coast of southern Brazil. Anatomical studies were carried out by light and scanning electron microscopy. Molecular studies were based on DNA barcoding markers (cox1; UPA) and SSU rDNA. Using comparative anatomical features, corroborated by the molecular data, we identified two taxonomic entities from the Brazilian coast: Lithophyllum margaritae, and we propose the new species Lithophyllum atlanticum.

Calcification in free-living coralline algae is strongly influenced by morphology: Implications for susceptibility to ocean acidification

“…To study the potential influence of morphology and the aforementioned associated differences in biochemical gradients at the thallus surface on the OA responses of the species, the rhodoliths were exposed to a sudden 36 flaring distally into curly margined, with funnel-like or cup-shaped tips, Lithophyllum atlanticum has a smooth or warty to lumpy surface with shorter protuberances (5-10 mm length, 3.5 mm diameter) 37 , and Melyvonnea erubescens with its fruticose to warty morphology exhibits branched and even shorter protuberances (1.5-4 mm length, 1-2 mm diameter)…”

“…Oliveira & P.A. Horta 2014) is a recently described new species, so far reported only for the Southern Brazilian coast (Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina and Paraná) 37 . These species, which express morphological differences related to the length and diameter of the protuberances (Fig.…”

Reef‐building coralline algae from the Southwest Atlantic: filling gaps with the recognition of Harveylithon (Corallinaceae, Rhodophyta) on the Brazilian coast

“…, Vieira‐Pinto et al. , Richards et al. ), indicating that identifications based on morpho‐anatomy needed to be reassessed using DNA sequences.…”

DNA Sequencing of Type Material Reveals Pneophyllum marlothii comb. nov. from South Africa and P. discoideum comb. nov. (Chamberlainoideae, Corallinales, Rhodophyta) from Argentina

“…However, in Pneophyllum discoideum and P. marlothii the initially thin dimerous thalli can become monomerous and thick through secondary dorsiventral growth that is visible as repeated pseudodichotomies. This phenomenon is not unfamiliar as several earlier (Cabioch 1969, 1972, Johansen 1981, Chamberlain et al 1991, Chamberlain and Irvine 1994, Chamberlain 1996 and more recent (Richards et al 2018) authors, have reported it for primarily dimerous species of Lithophyllum, for example-this may be why more recent publications of monomerous Lithophyllum species have been recorded (e.g., Harvey et al 2009, Vieira-Pinto et al 2014, Hernandez-Kantun et al 2015, Peña et al 2018-see also Maneveldt et al 2019 for interpretational comments on these latter studies). Similar patterns of repeated pseudodichotomies have also been reported for other taxa (e.g., Clathromorphum; Adey 1965, Cardinal et al 1978.…”