Molecular phylogeny of Bangiales (Rhodophyta) based on small subunit rDNA sequencing: emphasis on Brazilian Porphyra species

Abstract

D. Milstein and M. C. de Oliveira. 2005. Molecular phylogeny of Bangiales (Rhodophyta) based on small subunit rDNA sequencing: emphasis on Brazilian Porphyra species. Phycologia 44: 212–221.In an attempt to clarify the position of the Brazilian Porphyra species within the order Bangiales, phylogenetic trees were inferred on the basis of nuclear small subunit ribosomal RNA gene (SSU rDNA) sequences. The internal transcribed spacers ITS-1 and ITS-2 and the 5.8S rRNA gene were sequenced for discrimination of the closely related species Porphyra drewiana, P. spiralis var. spiralis and P. spiralis var. amplifolia. Occurrence of SSU rDNA group I introns is reported for some Porphyra species and a novel position for a group I intron is described for Bangiopsis sp. (Porphyridiales). The Brazilian species, P. acanthophora var. acanthophora, P. acanthophora var. brasiliensis, P. drewiana, P. spiralis var. amplifolia, P. spiralis var. spiralis and Porphyra sp. ‘Piaui’ formed a monophyletic group within a large polytomy that includes Bangia collections and Porphyra species from distinct locations. The Brazilian species Porphyra sp. ‘Baleia’ grouped strongly with P. suborbiculata from Japan and New Zealand, indicating that this cosmopolitan species also occurs in the South Atlantic. South African P. capensis grouped with two New Zealand species.