Next-Generation Sequencing of an 88-Year-Old Specimen of the Poorly Known Species Liagora japonica (Nemaliales, Rhodophyta) Supports the Recognition of Otohimella gen. nov.

Abstract

Liagora japonica is a red algal species distributed in temperate regions of Japan. This species has not been collected from its type locality on the Pacific coast of Japan since 1927 and seems to have become extinct in this area. For molecular characterization of L. japonica, we extracted DNA from the topotype material of L. japonica collected in 1927, analyzed seven genes using Illumina next-generation sequencing, and compared these data with sequences from modern samples of similar red algae collected from the Japan Sea coast of Japan. Both morphological and molecular data from modern samples and historical specimens (including the lectotype and topotype) suggest that the specimens from the Pacific and Japan Sea coasts of Japan should be treated as a single species, and that L. japonica is phylogenetically separated from the genus Liagora. Based on the phylogenetic results and examination of reproductive structures, we propose Otohimella japonica gen. et comb. nov., characterized morphologically by diffuse carposporophytes, undivided carposporangia, and involucral filaments initiated only from the cortical cell on the supporting cell.

Fredericqia (Phyllophoraceae, Rhodophyta) in the northwestern Pacific, with the description of Fredericqia chiharae sp. nov.

“…For molecular phylogenetic analyses, partial rbcL and cox1 genes, and 28S rDNA were sequenced. Genomic DNA was extracted and sequenced as described previously (Suzuki et al 2016). The rbcL, cox1 and 28S rDNA sequences of two specimens of Fredericqia from Japan were sequenced (Table S1).…”

“…Bootstrap values (BP) for the ML analysis were calculated based on 1,000 pseudoreplications. BI analysis was performed using MrBayes 3.2.7a (Ronquist et al 2012), as described previously (Suzuki et al 2016).…”

New records of Chondracanthus saundersii and Schottera koreana (Gigartinales, Rhodophyta) from Japan based on molecular and morphological analyses

“…DNA extraction and sequencing procedures were performed as described previously (Suzuki et al . 2016). The rbc L and COI‐5P sequences of a C. saundersii specimen and the rbc L sequences of two S. koreana specimens were sequenced (Table S1).…”

High-throughput sequencing for algal systematics

“…DNA barcodes and even complete organellar genomes can be obtained from whole-genome shotgun sequencing of type specimens (Box 4, Hughey & Gabrielson, 2012;Staats et al, 2013;Prosser et al, 2016;Yeates et al, 2016). High-throughput sequencing data has been obtained from historical specimens (type, holotype, topotype) to reassess the taxonomic classification of Pyropia perforata (Hughey et al, 2014), Otohimella gen. nov. (Suzuki et al, 2016), three Membranoptera species (Hughey et al, 2017) and ten species in the genera Gelidium and Pterocladiella (Boo et al, 2016).…”