DNA Barcoding Sheds Light on Novel Records in the Tunisian Red Algal Flora

• DOI: 10.5252/cryptogamie-algologie2019v40a3
• Publication Date: 2019-05-10T15:48:08Z
• Authors: Antonio Manghisi; Ramzi Miladi; Simona Armeli Min...; Giuseppa Genovese; Line Le Gall; Slim Abdelkafi; Gary W. Saunders; Marina Morabito
• Keywords: DNA Barcoding; Flora; Species complex

Tunisia is located at a key position in the Mediterranean Sea where it constitutes transitional area between eastern and western basins benefitting from rich habitat diversity. The most recent inventory of marine macrophytes dated back to 1987 with an update 1995, however these inventories were performed identification based on morphological observations, which can be misleading for many seaweed species. To best our knowledge, this first study Tunisian macroalgal flora using DNA barcoding methods. Our target was carry out survey macroalgae, reveal cryptic species allochthonous introductions, identify taxa problematic taxonomy. COI-5P sequence analysis resolved 26 genetic species, including two new reports three alien Of remaining taxa, several displayed diversity relative reported versus other geographical regions taxonomic nomenclature updates provided possible. aim present paper provide barcode-assisted floristic list florideophycean algae collected along coast.