Abstract
The genus Balticola comprises a group of unicellular green flagellate algae and is composed of four species formerly classified in the genus Haematococcus. Balticola is closely related to a colonial green flagellate, Stephanosphaera pluvialis. Although the phylogeny among these genera was previously investigated based on two nuclear gene sequences, the phylogenetic sister of S. pluvialis has yet to be determined. In the present study, the species diversity of Balticola and Stephanosphaera was investigated using 18S rRNA gene sequences, and phylogenetic analyses of combined nuclear and chloroplast gene sequences were performed to understand the evolutionary origin of coloniality in Stephanosphaera. The divergence times of four colonial volvocalean flagellates from their respective unicellular sisters were also estimated. Six Balticola genotypes and a single Stephanosphaera genotype were recognized, and one Balticola genotype was resolved as the sister of S. pluvialis, showing that Balticola is a nonmonophyletic genus. The divergence time of Stephanosphaera from its nearest Balticola relative was estimated to be 4-63million years ago, and these genera represent the most recently diverged pair of unicellular and colonial flagellates among the Volvocales.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.