Nuclear SSU Research Articles

Efficient context-dependent model building based on clustering posterior distributions for non-coding sequences

BackgroundMany recent studies that relax the assumption of independent evolution of sites have done so at the expense of a drastic increase in the number of substitution parameters. While additional parameters cannot be avoided to model context-dependent evolution, a large increase in model dimensionality is only justified when accompanied with careful model-building strategies that guard against overfitting. An increased dimensionality leads to increases in numerical computations of the models, increased convergence times in Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithms and even more tedious Bayes Factor calculations.ResultsWe have developed two model-search algorithms which reduce the number of Bayes Factor calculations by clustering posterior densities to decide on the equality of substitution behavior in different contexts. The selected model's fit is evaluated using a Bayes Factor, which we calculate via model-switch thermodynamic integration. To reduce computation time and to increase the precision of this integration, we propose to split the calculations over different computers and to appropriately calibrate the individual runs. Using the proposed strategies, we find, in a dataset of primate Ancestral Repeats, that careful modeling of context-dependent evolution may increase model fit considerably and that the combination of a context-dependent model with the assumption of varying rates across sites offers even larger improvements in terms of model fit. Using a smaller nuclear SSU rRNA dataset, we show that context-dependence may only become detectable upon applying model-building strategies.ConclusionWhile context-dependent evolutionary models can increase the model fit over traditional independent evolutionary models, such complex models will often contain too many parameters. Justification for the added parameters is thus required so that only those parameters that model evolutionary processes previously unaccounted for are added to the evolutionary model. To obtain an optimal balance between the number of parameters in a context-dependent model and the performance in terms of model fit, we have designed two parameter-reduction strategies and we have shown that model fit can be greatly improved by reducing the number of parameters in a context-dependent evolutionary model.

Adaptations of araphid pennate diatoms to a planktonic existence

AbstractPennate diatoms are monophyletic. Their principal cell wall elements, called valves, are shaped like a ship’s hull. Within the pennates, the araphids are paraphyletic; they possess rimoportulae and pore fields located at the valve apices. The pore fields exude mucilage pads with which cells attach to one another to form chains. Many taxa use the pads also for attachment to substrata. Only a few genera are truly planktonic. The main question addressed in this study is whether the planktonic lifestyle is ancestral or derived. Phylogenies inferred from nuclear SSU rDNA gene sequences of diatoms indicated that the attached lifestyle is ancestral among the araphids, whereas a typically planktonic lifestyle seems to have developed at least three times and possibly four times independently. Acquisition of a planktonic lifestyle from benthic ancestry was accompanied by a reduction in the silicification of cell‐wall elements, but changes in morphological characters shared by all four clades were not detected. The reason why only three or four araphid pennate clades have adopted a planktonic lifestyle may be related to constraints associated to their sexual reproduction mode. Partner cells of opposite mating type align with one another and produce isogametes. These gametes lack flagella; they move to one another in an amoeboid fashion, which functions well on surfaces, but seems a liability in a turbulent water column. The planktonic lineages must have overcome this constraint, e.g. by sinking to the bottom, or aggregating, to perform sexual reproduction. Members of the four araphid pennate lineages are now common constituents of the plankton, suggesting that they are ecologically successful.

Variability of the Mitochondrial SSU rDNA of Nomuraea Species and Other Entomopathogenic Fungi from Hypocreales

Hypocrealean arthropod pathogenic fungi have profound impact on the regulation of agricultural and medical pests. However, until now the genetic and phylogenetic relationships among species have not been clarified, such studies could clarify host specificity relationships and define species boundaries. Our purpose was to compare the sequences of the mitochondrial SSU rDNA fragments from several mitosporic entomopathogenic Hypocreales to infer relationships among them and to evaluate the possibility to use these sequences as species diagnostic tool in addition to the more commonly studied sequences of nuclear SSU rDNA. The SSU mt-rDNA proved to be useful to help in differentiation of species inside several genera. Clusters obtained with Parsimony, Bayesian, and Maximum Likelihood analyses were congruent with a new classification of the Clavicipitaceae (Sung et al. Stud Mycol. 2007;57:5-59) in which the anamorphic genera Nomuraea and Metarhizium species remain in the Clavicipitaceae and Isaria species sequenced here are assigned to the family Cordycipitaceae. Mitochondrial genomic information indicates the same general pattern of relationships demonstrated by nuclear gene sequences.

MOLECULAR EVIDENCE CONFIRMS SISTER RELATIONSHIP OF ARDISSONEA, CLIMACOSPHENIA, AND TOXARIUM WITHIN THE BIPOLAR CENTRIC DIATOMS (BACILLARIOPHYTA, MEDIOPHYCEAE), AND CLADISTIC ANALYSES CONFIRM THAT EXTREMELY ELONGATED SHAPE HAS ARISEN TWICE IN THE DIATOMS(1).

With the use of a new kit from Qiagen to amplify total genome quantity, DNA was bulked up from two diatoms that are difficult to grow (Ardissonea and Climacosphenia), and the nuclear SSU rRNA gene was successfully amplified. Results of Bayesian analyses showed that these diatoms are sister to Toxarium and belong to the bi- and multipolar centric diatoms. The results indicate that extremely elongate shape has arisen at least twice in diatoms, in the true pennates, and in the bipolar centrics. The two lateral pattern centers of Ardissonea and Climacosphenia likely represent a modified annulus that subtends ribs internally as well as externally. Studies of sexual reproduction are needed to determine whether Ardissonea, Climacosphenia, and Toxarium achieve their elongate shape by similar means to each other and to true pennates, that is, by controlling the expansion of the auxospores by sequential addition of silicified bands (to form a properizonium or perizonium).

Endosporium, a new endoconidial genus allied to the Myriangiales

A new endoconidial genus, Endosporium gen. nov., is reported from Alberta, Canada. Two species are described: Endosporium populi-tremuloidis Tsuneda sp. nov. (type species) isolated from a heavily colonized bud of Populus tremuloides Michx., and Endosporium aviarium Tsuneda sp. nov. isolated from the skin of Bombycilla garrulus (L.) (Bohemian waxwing) and a twig of Populus balsamifera L. This genus is morphologically similar to Phaeotheca in forming black, slow-growing colonies (conidiomata) containing numerous, conidiogenous, cellular clumps, but different in that (i) colonies possess aerial, determinate hyphae on the surface; (ii) mature colonies eventually collapse to release a mixture of conidiogenous cellular clumps, endoconidia, and blastic conidia in slimy liquid; and (iii) endoconidia are hyaline. Phylogenetic analyses of nuclear rDNA SSU, LSU, and ITS sequences indicate that Endosporium is phylogenetically distant from other endoconidial taxa, including Phaeotheca, and is most closely related to the Myriangiales (Dothideomycetes). Similarities in stroma and conidioma development as well as ecology between the two taxa suggest that Endosporium can be accommodated within this order, making it the first endoconidial and first black meristematic genus reported in the Myriangiales.

MOLECULAR PHYLOGENY OF PHYCOCYANIN-CONTAINING CRYPTOPHYTES: EVOLUTION OF BILIPROTEINS AND GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION(1).

Of 34 strains assigned to the cryptophyte genera Chroomonas Hansg., Hemiselmis Parke, and Komma D. R. A. Hill, distribution patterns of biliproteins, habitats, and sampling sites across a phylogenetic tree have been examined. The combined data set assembled from nuclear SSU rDNA, partial nuclear LSU rDNA, and nucleomorph SSU rDNA sequences comprised 4,083 positions and yielded an almost completely resolved tree. Spectrophotometry of the biliproteins and mapping of the different types of biliproteins onto the phylogenetic tree unveiled a complex evolutionary history. Different from other cryptophyte clades, the types of biliproteins were not generally congruent with clades or subclades of the genera Chroomonas (paraphyletic, phycocyanins [PCs] 645 or 630), Hemiselmis (PCs 612, 630 or phycoerythrin [PE] 555), and Komma (PC 645). At least one putative character reversal took place in the genus Chroomonas. Several changes in biliproteins have been found in the genus Hemiselmis, including two new biliprotein variants that probably originated by slight modifications from PC 612 and PE 555, respectively (PC 577 and PE 545/555). Freshwater and marine/brackish taxa were intermingled across the tree without displaying a specific pattern. In four terminal clades, genetically identical strains have been found to occur both in Europe and in the USA. The Chroomonas/Hemiselmis/Komma clade proved to be the most diverse of all cryptophyte clades concerning types of biliproteins and distribution of clades across marine or freshwater habitats.

PHYLOGENETIC RELATIONSHIPS AMONG LINEAGES OF THE CERAMIACEAE (CERAMIALES, RHODOPHYTA) BASED ON NUCLEAR SMALL SUBUNIT rDNA SEQUENCE DATA(1).

Phylogenetic relationships among 69 species of the Ceramiales (51 Ceramiaceae, six Dasyaceae, seven Delesseriaceae, and five Rhodomelaceae) were determined based on nuclear SSU rDNA sequence data. We resolved five strongly supported but divergent lineages among the included Ceramiaceae: (i) the genus Inkyuleea, which weakly joins other orders of the Rhodymeniophycidae rather than the Ceramiales in our analyses; (ii) the tribe Spyridieae, which is sister to the remainder of the included ceramialean taxa; (iii) the subfamily Ceramioideae, weakly including the tribe Warrenieae; (iv) the subfamily Callithamnioideae; and (v) the subfamily Compsothamnioideae, which emerges as sister to the Dasyaceae/Delesseriaceae/Rhodomelaceae complex, thus rendering the Ceramiaceae sensu lato unequivocally paraphyletic, as has been argued separately on anatomical grounds by Kylin and Hommersand. Our data support a restricted concept of the Ceramiaceae that includes only one of the five lineages (Ceramioideae) that we have resolved. In addition to failing to ally with the Ceramiales in our molecular analyses, species of Inkyuleea differ substantially from other Ceramiaceae sensu lato in details of pre- and postfertilization development. The genus Inkyuleea is here assigned to the Inkyuleeaceae fam. nov., which we provisionally retain in the Ceramiales. Species of Spyridia also differ from the remaining Ceramiaceae in their postfertilization development, and, in light of our molecular data, the genus Spyridia is assigned to the Spyridiaceae. The Callithamnioideae is strongly monophyletic (100% in all analyses), which, in combination with key anatomical differences, supports elevation to family status for this lineage as the Callithamniaceae. Similarly, the Compsothamnioideae is solidly monophyletic in our molecular trees and has a unique suite of defining anatomical characters that supports family status for a complex that we consider to include the tribes Compsothamnieae, Dasyphileae, Griffithsieae, Monosporeae, Ptiloteae, Spermothamnieae, Sphondylothamnieae, Spongoclonieae, and Wrangelieae, for which the reinstated family name Wrangeliaceae is available.

APPLICATION OF PHYLOGENETIC PRINCIPLES TO TESTING EVOLUTIONARY SCENARIOS: A COMMENT ON KACZMARSKA ETAL. "MOLECULAR PHYLOGENY OF SELECTED MEMBERS OF THE ORDER THALASSIOSIRALES (BACILLARIOPHYTA) AND EVOLUTION OF THE FULTOPORTULA"(1).

While rigorous techniques have usually been used to generate phylogenetic trees from molecular data, morphological analysis has sometimes been more informal. A recent example was a study of the evolution of the fultoportula in the diatom order Thalassiosirales (Kaczmarska etal. 2006). Phylogeny was inferred using modern phylogenetic principles applied to nuclear SSU rDNA sequences, but inferences about morphological character evolution were made using noncanonical reasoning and evolutionary scenario building. The preferred hypothesis posited that marginal fultoportulae evolved from the marginal ridge of Lithodesmiales. A related hypothesis suggested that fultoportulae in the valve center were not homologous with those near the valve margin. Shared symplesiomorphies, shared homoplasies, gaps in the fossil record, and subtle morphological differences between central- and marginal-area fultoportulae were offered as the primary evidence for these scenarios. The literature has demonstrated such arguments to be either irrelevant or logically weaker than inferences made under the tests of similarity, conjunction, and congruence. Five prior hypotheses about the origin and evolution of the fultoportula were examined in this study using these tests. The hypothesis that the areola evolved into the multistrutted process, which evolved into the fultoportula, was best supported.

PHYLOGENY OF THE EUGLENOID LORICATE GENERA TRACHELOMONAS AND STROMBOMONAS (EUGLENOPHYTA) INFERRED FROM NUCLEAR SSU AND LSU rDNA(1).

Previous studies using the nuclear SSU rDNA and partial LSU rDNA have demonstrated that the euglenoid loricate taxa form a monophyletic clade within the photosynthetic euglenoid lineage. It was unclear, however, whether the loricate genera Trachelomonas and Strombomonas were monophyletic. In order to determine the relationships among the loricate taxa, SSU and LSU nuclear rDNA sequences were obtained for eight Strombomonas and 25 Trachelomonas strains and combined in a multigene phylogenetic analysis. Conserved regions of the aligned data set were used to generate maximum-likelihood (ML) and Bayesian phylogenies. Both methods recovered a strongly supported monophyletic loricate clade with Strombomonas and Trachelomonas species separated into two sister clades. Taxa in the genus Strombomonas sorted into three subclades. Within the genus Trachelomonas, five strongly supported subclades were recovered in all analyses. Key morphological features could be attributed to each of the subclades, with the major separation being that all of the spine-bearing taxa were located in two sister subclades, while the more rounded, spineless taxa formed the remaining three subclades. The separation of genera and subclades was supported by 42 distinct molecular signatures (33 in Trachelomonas and nine in Strombomonas). The morphological and molecular data supported the retention of Trachelomonas and Strombomonas as separate loricate genera.

Molecular Phylogenetic Relationships of Olacaceae and Related Santalales

As traditionally circumscribed, the family Olacaceae contains a morphologically diverse assemblage of genera that has historically caused much confusion regarding their classification. For example, Olacaceae contain parasites and nonparasites, climbing lianas and trees, and members with dichlamydous and monochlamydous perianths. This family is basalmost in the sandalwood order (Santalales), thus it represents the staging ground for many innovations that evolved in subsequent groups. The present molecular phylogenetic study has obtained DNA sequence data (nuclear SSU rDNA and chloroplast rbcL and matK) for all but two of the 28 genera in this group. Maximum parsimony and Bayesian analyses have resolved seven clades, well-supported by molecular and morphological characters. Root hemiparasitism appears to have first evolved in the clade containing Ximenia whereas clades between that one and the outgroup appear to be entirely autotrophic.

The first mistletoes: Origins of aerial parasitism in Santalales

Past molecular phylogenetic work has shown that aerial parasites have evolved five times independently in the sandalwood order (Santalales), but the absolute timing of these diversifications was not addressed. DNA sequences from nuclear SSU and LSU rDNA, and chloroplast rbcL, matK and trnL-F from 39 santalalean taxa were obtained. Separate and combined data partitions were analyzed with maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference. Time estimates were performed with Bayesian relaxed molecular clock and penalized likelihood methods using published fossil data. Both methods gave comparable divergence dates for the major clades. These data confirm five origins of aerial parasitism, first in Misodendraceae ca. 80Mya and subsequently in Viscaceae (72Mya), “Eremolepidaceae” (53Mya), tribe Amphorogyneae in Santalaceae (46Mya), and Loranthaceae (28Mya). The rapid adaptive radiation and speciation in Loranthaceae coincides with the appearance of savanna biomes during the Oligocene. In all clades except Misodendraceae, it appears that aerial parasites evolved from ancestors that were polymorphic for either root or stem parasitism—a condition here termed amphiphagous. Convergences in morphological features associated with the mistletoe habit have occurred such as the squamate habit, seed attachment structures, unisexual flowers, and loss of chlorophyll.

Chrysymenia wrightii (Rhodymeniales, Rhodophyta) a new non-native species for the European Atlantic Coast

Chrysymenia wrightii, originally described from Japan, was found for the first time from the European Atlantic coast. It was collected in several subtidal rocky bottom habitats (9-14 meters depth) of the Ria de Arousa (Galicia, NW Spain). In this work, a description of Galician gametophytic and tetrasporophytic plants is provided. They are similar to the Mediterranean and Japanese plants. DNA sequence data of materials from Galicia and Korea were investigated using nuclear SSU and ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rDNA and plastid rbcL sequences. No genetic variation was observed in the SSU, and only one substitution was detected in ITS and rbcL data between Galician and Korean samples, respectively. Our molecular data indicate that the Galician populations of C. wrightii are probably due to a recent introduction event from the northwest Pacific. Despite the fact that C. wrightii was formerly recorded as a new non-native species from a Mediterranean hotspot (Thau Lagoon, 1987-1989), it was never reported for the European Atlantic coast. After 30 years of its first report in the Mediterranean Sea, the simultaneous occurrence of C. wrightii in four subtidal localities of NW Spain suggests that this species may have colonized the region unnoticed for several years which may be related to its subtidal habitat and short life cycle. Similarly to the Mediterranean Sea, the introduction of C. wrightii on the European Atlantic coasts could be enhanced by the intensive aquaculture widely spread along the Galician coast. Curiously, C. wrightii is apparently restricted to both areas, the Ria de Arousa and the Thau Lagoon. In addition, many non-native species markedly represented in Galicia since the 1980’s were firstly reported in the Ria de Arousa. Consequently, the Ria de Arousa should be considered an outstanding European Atlantic hotspot of introduced marine species similar to the Solent region (South of England) or the Thau Lagoon.

Phylogenetic relationships within the tribe Janieae (Corallinales, Rhodophyta) based on molecular and morphological data: a reappraisal ofJania1

Generic boundaries among the generaCheilosporum,Haliptilon, andJania—currently referred to the tribe Janieae (Corallinaceae, Corallinales, Rhodophyta)—were reassessed. Phylogenetic relationships among 42 corallinoidean taxa were determined based on 26 anatomical characters and nuclear SSU rDNA sequence data for 11 species (with two duplicate plants) referred to the tribe Corallineae and 15 species referred to the tribe Janieae (two species ofCheilosporum, seven ofHaliptilon, and six ofJania, with five duplicate plants). Results from our approach were consistent with the hypothesis that the tribe Janieae is monophyletic. Our data indicate, however, thatJaniaandHaliptilonas currently delimited are not monophyletic, and thatCheilosporumshould not be recognized as an independent genus within the Janieae. Our data resolved two well‐supported biogeographic clades for the included Janieae, an Indian‐Pacific clade and a temperate North Atlantic clade. Among anatomical characters, reproductive structures reflected the evolution of the Janieae. Based on our results, three genera,Cheilosporum,Haliptilon, andJania, should be merged into a single genus, withJaniahaving nomenclatural priority. We therefore propose new combinations where necessary of some species previously included inCheilosporumandHaliptilon.

Two Freshwater Cryptomonads New to Korea: Cryptomonas marssonii and C. pyrenoidifera

We described two brownish freshwater Cryptomonas species, C. marssonii Skuja and C. pyrenoidifera Geitler as first records in Korea. The identification was based on light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and nuclear SSU rDNA sequences analysis. Cryptomonas marssonii is characterized by its sigmoid shape with a sharply pointed and dorsally curved antapex, dorso-ventrally flattened cell, two lateral plastids without pyrenoid, and its dimension of 18-25 μm in length and 8-13 μm in width. Cryptomonas pyrenoidifera is characterized by ovoid to elliptical shape with a partially twisted or rounded antapex, dorso-ventrally biconvex cell, lateral plastids with two pyrenoids, and the dimensions of 15-22 μm in length and 10-14 μm in width. Nuclear SSU rDNA sequences between C. marssonii WCK01 from Korea and CCAC0086 from Gernmay, and between C. pyrenoidifera WCK02 from Korea and CCMP152 from Australia were identical, respectively.

Baudoinia, a new genus to accommodate Torula compniacensis

Baudoinia gen. nov. is described to accommodate Torula compniacensis. Reported originally from the walls of buildings near brandy maturation warehouses in Cognac, France, species of Baudoinia are cosmopolitan colonists of exposed surfaces subjected to large diurnal temperature shifts, episodic high relative humidity and wetting, and ambient airborne ethanol. Morphologically B. compniacensis resembles some anamorphic Mycosphaerellaceae in possessing dark brown, nonseptate or uniseptate conidia with coarsely roughened walls that are borne acropetally in unbranched chains and released by schizolytic dehiscence. Analysis of partial nuclear rDNA SSU sequences positions B. compniacensis in the order Capnodiales and reveals that it is most closely related to the microcolonial genus Friedmanniomyces. Heat resistance is induced by brief sublethal temperature exposure.

Baudoinia, a new genus to accommodate Torula compniacensis

Baudoinia gen. nov. is described to accommodate Torula compniacensis. Reported originally from the walls of buildings near brandy maturation warehouses in Cognac, France, species of Baudoinia are cosmopolitan colonists of exposed surfaces subjected to large diurnal temperature shifts, episodic high relative humidity and wetting, and ambient airborne ethanol. Morphologically B. compniacensis resembles some anamorphic Mycosphaerellaceae in possessing dark brown, nonseptate or uniseptate conidia with coarsely roughened walls that are borne acropetally in unbranched chains and released by schizolytic dehiscence. Analysis of partial nuclear rDNA SSU sequences positions B. compniacensis in the order Capnodiales and reveals that it is most closely related to the microcolonial genus Friedmanniomyces. Heat resistance is induced by brief sublethal temperature exposure.

Patterns of Group I Intron Presence in Nuclear SSU rDNA of the Lichen Family Parmeliaceae

Group I introns are commonly reported within nuclear SSU ribosomal DNA of eukaryotic micro-organisms, especially in lichen-forming fungi. We have studied the primary and secondary structure of 70 new nuclear SSU rDNA group I introns of Parmeliaceae (Ascomycota: Lecanorales) and compared them with those available in databases, covering more than 60 species. The analyzed samples of Parmeliaceae fell into two groups, one having an intron at the 1506 site and another lacking this one but having another at the 1516 or 1521 position. Introns at the 1521 position seem to be transposed from 1516 sites. Introns at the 1516 position were similar in structure to ones previously reported at this site and known from other lecanoralean fungi, while those at the 1506 position showed structural differences and no similar introns are known from related fungi. The study of the distribution of group I introns within a large monophyletic ensemble of fungi has revealed an unexpected correlation between intron types and ecological and geographical parameters. The introns at the 1516 position occurred in mainly arctic, boreal, and temperate lichens, while those at position 1506 were present in mainly tropical and subtropical to oceanic mild-temperate taxa. Further, the 1516 introns occurred in genera with few distributed species that could represent older taxa, while the 1506 ones were mainly in species-rich genera that could be of recent speciation, as many species have wide distribution areas. The transition between two different environments has been accompanied by a change in introns gained and lost.

Combining small and large subunit ribosomal DNA genes to resolve relationships among orders of the Rhodymeniophycidae (Rhodophyta): recognition of the Acrosymphytales ord. nov. and Sebdeniales ord. nov.

Published phylogenies based on nuclear small-subunit (SSU) ribosomal DNA have largely failed to resolve ordinal relationships within the Rhodymeniophycidae. Of the nine orders currently recognized, SSU analyses only consistently resolved an association between the Halymeniales and Rhodymeniales. This situation was confounded by an unexpected association between the Rhodymeniales and Gracilariales shown in published combined SSU + LSU (large subunit ribosomal DNA) phylogenies. To investigate this conundrum further, nuclear SSU and LSU sequences were determined to produce a comprehensive combined data set of 61 ingroup taxa, representing 22 families within the Rhodymeniophycidae, emphasizing disparate lineages of the Gigartinales sensu lato. Molecular phylogenies were constructed from individual gene and combined data sets in an effort to achieve increased ordinal resolution. The new analyses realized little increased resolution among the orders, but they did resolve the conflicting taxonomic affinities of the Rhodymeniales indicating that they ally with the Halymeniales and not the Gracilariales. The latter order was affiliated to the Nemastomatales in all SSU-only analyses, as well as for SSU + LSU combined Bayesian results with the covarion option invoked. In addition, the resulting phylogenetic hypotheses have shed light on the taxonomic associations of a few rogue families of the Gigartinales sensu lato. Notably, the Acrosymphytaceae failed to join other families of the Gigartinales and we therefore propose the Acrosymphytales ord. nov. to accommodate this family. The Sebdeniaceae was generally weakly allied as sister to the Rhodymeniales rather than with the Halymeniales where it is currently placed. Owing to its consistently equivocal placement in contemporary molecular analyses, as well as a suite of anatomical characters intermediate between the Halymeniales sensu stricto and Rhodymeniales, we here propose the Sebdeniales ord. nov.

남극 호냉성 미세조 Porosira pseudodenticulata의 형태와 분자적 자료

We have cultured more than 100 Arctic and Antarctic cryophilic microalgal strains in KOPRI culture collections of polar microorganisms (KCCPM). Among them, we tried to identify an Antarctic strain, KOPRI AnM0008 by morphological and molecular analysis. Nuclear SSU rDNA and plastid rbcL sequences were used to identify the strain. It was identified as Porosira pseudodenticulata based on SSU sequence data showing 99% identity with GenBank X85398. This result was supported by morphological features like solitary labiate process, external foramina and internal cribra by optical and scanning electron microscope. Morphological identification and molecular analysis on polar cryophilic microalgae will be accomplished to construct the databases for KCCPM.

Phylogenetic significance of morphological characters in the tropical Hypotrachyna clade of parmelioid lichens (Parmeliaceae, Ascomycota)

Lichen-forming ascomycetes exhibit often complex morphologies of the vegetative thallus that are usually not found in non-lichenized fungi. This includes the thallus organization and appendical structures associated with the main thallus, such as cilia and rhizines. Such morphological characters are widely employed in the taxonomy of parmelioid lichens, especially at generic level. Within parmelioid lichens, several monophyletic groups can be distinguished, the Hypotrachyna clade being one of them, which includes mostly tropical taxa. In this first molecular study focused specifically on the Hypotrachyna clade, we used maximum parsimony and Bayesian analyses of a combined data set of nuclear ITS and mitochondrial SSU rDNA sequences to (1) test the monophyly of genera presently accepted within the clade and (2) evaluate the phylogenetic value of the morphological characters used to circumscribe genera in parmelioid lichens. Out of the 89 mtSSU and 88 nuITS sequences included in the present study, 121 sequences were newly obtained. Our results show that the taxa within the clade fall into two major groups and that the genus Hypotrachyna is polyphyletic. Everniastrum and Parmelinopsis are nested within Hypotrachyna sensu stricto, the latter being also polyphyletic. Bulbothrix is paraphyletic with Parmelinella nested within and is basal to the second major Hypotrachyna clade. Monophylies of Bulbothrix and Hypotrachyna are significantly rejected. The phylogenetic analysis demonstrates that morphological characters currently used to circumscribe genera in parmelioid lichens, such as cortical anatomy, lobe configuration, cilia, and rhizines have been overestimated and have only minor value in identifying monophyletic groups.