Abstract
Abstract The taxonomy of Saccharina longipedalis, a kelp species endemic to the brackish Lake Akkeshi in eastern Hokkaido, was reviewed. The external morphology of sporophytes collected from seven sites around the distribution boundary of S. longipedalis and Saccharina japonica var. diabolica were compared; it was confirmed that the diagnostic morphology of S. longipedalis, such as a long stipe and thin blade, was not solely characteristic of individuals that grew in and around the center of the lake, which is thought to be the unique distribution area of S. longipedalis. Sequence comparisons of a 5S rDNA spacer and four microsatellite regions and AFLP analysis revealed that genetic similarity was high between S. longipedalis and S. japonica var. diabolica. Also based on observations that the early development in hybrids of sporelings from the seven sites was normal, we conclude that S. longipedalis should be treated as S. japonica var. diabolica.
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