Evolution of the Northern Rockweed, Fucus distichus, in a Regime of Glacial Cycling: Implications for Benthic Algal Phylogenetics

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0143795
• Publication Date: 2015-12-02T19:15:20Z
• Authors: Haywood Dail Laug...; Kirsten M. Müller; Walter H. Adey; Yannick Lara; Robert Young; Gabriel Johnson
• Keywords: Subarctic climate

Northern hemisphere rockweeds (Fucus) are thought to have evolved in the North Pacific and then spread Atlantic following opening of Bering Strait. They dispersed widely speciated its tributary seas. Fucus distichus is likely near ancestral member this genus, studies shown that there several species/subspecies complex (i.e. F. evanescens gardneri). We used phylogenetic haplotype analyses test relationships biogeography distichus. Our data subsequent demonstrate that, unlike previous lacked samples from an extensive geographical area Arctic Subarctic, a distinct source subspecies both Atlantic. occupies low tide zone habitat, Arctic/Subarctic regions it adapted severe stress sea ice coverage disturbance during many months per year. hypothesize very large geographic Subarctic rocky shores available species interglacials, supported by fringe areas as well unglaciated refugia glacial cycles, provided robust population gene pool (described Thermogeographic Model). This dilutes more fragmented area-limited Temperate/Boreal populations when they brought together cycles. suggest similar complexes for variety shore biota should be examined further context, rather than arbitrarily being split up into numerous species.