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cpDNA-RFLP in Ceramium (Rhodophyta): intraspecific polymorphism and species-level phylogeny
R A Wattier1, A L Davidson, B A Ward
1School of Biology and Biochemistry, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland.
American Journal of Botany
|July 17, 2001
Summary
This study introduces chloroplast DNA restriction fragment length polymorphism (cpDNA-RFLP) for seaweed populations. It reveals significant genetic diversity and population differentiation in Ceramium algae, marking a first for marine algae.
Area of Science:
- Marine Biology
- Genetics
- Phycology
Background:
- Chloroplast DNA restriction fragment length polymorphism (cpDNA-RFLP) is vital for studying microevolution in land plants.
- Its application to seaweed populations remained unexplored until this study.
Purpose of the Study:
- To apply cpDNA-RFLP to investigate intraspecific and intrapopulational genetic polymorphism in two Ceramium red algae species.
- To assess the genetic diversity and population structure within these marine algal populations.
Main Methods:
- Utilized cpDNA-RFLP analysis on Southern blots with labeled total plastid DNA.
- Examined 18 individuals of Ceramium botryocarpum and 26 individuals of Ceramium virgatum from various locations in Ireland and Britain.
Main Results:
- Detected limited polymorphism in C. botryocarpum but found four distinct haplotypes in C. virgatum, with significant population differentiation.
- Observed a mean of 2.26 haplotypes per population in C. virgatum, comparable to higher plants.
- Demonstrated heterogeneous haplotype distribution and significant genetic structuring among C. virgatum populations.
Conclusions:
- This research provides the first clear evidence of intraspecific and intrapopulational cpDNA-RFLP polymorphism in algae.
- cpDNA-RFLP is a viable tool for analyzing microevolutionary processes in marine red algae.
- Genetic diversity and population structure in Ceramium species are significant and spatially structured.
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