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Systematics of Halosarpheia based on morphological and molecular data
J Campbell1, J L Anderson, C A Shearer
1Department of Plant Biology, University of Illinois, 265 Morrill Hall, 505 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, Illinois 61801.
Mycologia
|December 16, 2010
Summary
Phylogenetic analysis of Halosarpheia reveals its species are not monophyletic. This study reclassifies several species, establishing new genera for marine fungi with unique ascospore appendages.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Marine Biology
Background:
- The genus Halosarpheia, characterized by marine ascomycetes with specific ascospore appendage morphology, has included morphologically diverse fungi.
- Previous classifications relied heavily on ascospore appendage characteristics, leading to potential misclassifications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clarify the evolutionary relationships within the genus Halosarpheia.
- To resolve the taxonomic status of Halosarpheia species using molecular data.
Main Methods:
- Phylogenetic analyses were performed using 18S and 28S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequence data.
- The study included 16 Halosarpheia species, 13 other Halosphaeriales species, and representatives from related orders.
- Morphological and habitat data were also considered in conjunction with molecular findings.
Main Results:
- Phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that Halosarpheia is not a monophyletic genus.
- The type species, H. fibrosa, formed a distinct clade (Halosarpheia sensu stricto) with closely related species.
- Other Halosarpheia species were distributed across eight separate, well-supported clades, necessitating taxonomic revision.
Conclusions:
- The current circumscription of Halosarpheia is not supported by molecular data.
- Six new genera are proposed to accommodate the divergent clades of Halosarpheia species.
- Taxonomic re-evaluation is crucial for accurately reflecting the evolutionary history of these marine fungi.
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