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Published on: March 17, 2023
566
Using RDNA sequences to define dinoflagellate species.
Brittany M Ott1,2, R Wayne Litaker3, William C Holland4
1Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (JIFSAN), University of Maryland-College Park, College Park, MD, United States of America.
Plos One
|February 25, 2022
Summary
DNA sequencing, particularly using ribosomal DNA (rDNA) gene regions like D1-D3 and ITS/5.8S, is effective for identifying dinoflagellate species. Multigene phylogenies offer greater accuracy for relationships above the species level.
Area of Science:
- Marine biology
- Molecular evolution
- Phycology
Background:
- Traditional dinoflagellate species identification relies on morphology, which is increasingly recognized as inaccurate.
- Molecular data, especially ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequences, are now crucial for species delineation.
- The adequacy of single-gene (rDNA) versus multigene phylogenies for accurate species identification remains a key question.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the utility of D1-D3 and ITS/5.8S rDNA gene regions, multigene phylogenies, and morphological characters for identifying dinoflagellate species.
- To assess the congruence of phylogenies derived from different molecular markers and morphology.
- To develop a protocol for species description based on molecular data.
Main Methods:
- Phylogenetic analyses using D1-D3 and ITS/5.8S rDNA gene regions.
- Construction of multigene phylogenies.
- Comparative analysis with morphological characters.
- Review of 473 published manuscripts on dinoflagellate rDNA phylogenies.
Main Results:
- D1-D3 and ITS/5.8S rDNA phylogenies successfully identified described species within Gambierdiscus and Alexandrium.
- Both D1-D3 and multigene phylogenies were equally capable of identifying species.
- Multigene phylogenies revealed different interspecies relationships, suggesting higher accuracy for phylogenetic inference above the species level.
- Combined D1-D3 and ITS rDNA phylogenies identified 97% of all reviewed dinoflagellate species.
Conclusions:
- D1-D3 and ITS/5.8S rDNA phylogenies are generally reliable for identifying Gambierdiscus and likely other dinoflagellate species.
- Multigene phylogenies are preferred for resolving higher-level phylogenetic relationships.
- A protocol is proposed to guide species descriptions, prioritizing molecular data (D1-D3/ITS) over morphology in specific cases, especially for cryptic species.
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