Morphology and molecular phylogeny of Coolia tropicalis, Coolia malayensis and a new lineage of the Coolia canariensis species complex (Dinophyceae) isolated from Brazil

Abstract

ABSTRACT The morphology and molecular phylogenetic relationships of Coolia species isolated from Brazil, including C. malayensis, C. tropicalis and a new lineage of the Coolia canariensis complex, are presented. Morphology was investigated by light and scanning electron microscopy. No significant morphological differences between the Brazilian strains and other geographically distant strains of C. malayensis and C. tropicalis were observed. In LSU and ITS rDNA phylogenies C. malayensis and C. tropicalis sequences from Brazil branched within the clade of these species with strains isolated from elsewhere. Phylogenetic relationships (LSU rDNA) within the C. canariensis species complex support the existence of three cryptic species. No morphological difference was discernible among species in this complex. Additional molecular, morphological and toxin data from globally distributed isolates should be acquired to strengthen our knowledge of the C. canariensis species complex.