Phylogeography of the red alga Gracilariopsis tenuifrons (Gracilariales) along the Brazilian coast

• DOI: 10.1111/jpy.13363
• Publication Date: 2023-07-12T07:58:17Z
• Authors: Andre V. F. Faria; Nuno T. Martins; Ligia M. Ayres‐Os...; Carlos F. D. Gurgel; Estela M. Plastino
• Keywords: Seamount

Changes in the sea level during Holocene are regarded as one of most prevalent drivers diversity and distribution macroalgae Brazil, influenced by emergence Vitória-Trindade seamount chain (VTC). Gracilariopsis tenuifrons has a wide geographic along Brazilian coast, from Maranhão state (2°48'64.3" S) to Santa Catarina (27.5°73'83" S). The knowledge historical processes affecting may allow development conservation strategies environments against anthropogenic influence. Therefore, about phylogeography populational genetic G. is necessary. Six populations were sampled northeastern tropical (Maranhão-MA, Rio Grande do Norte-RN, Alagoas-AL, Bahia-BA States) southeastern subtropical (São Paulo "Ubatuba"-SP1 São "Itanhaém"-SP2 regions coast. structure inferred using mitochondrial (COI-5P cox2-3 concatenated) DNA markers. showed an evident separation between northeast (from 2°48'64.3" S 14°18'23" S; 17 haplotypes) southeast 23°50'14.9" 24°20'04.7" 10 two mutational steps them. main biogeographical barrier gene flow located nearby VTC. region State) separated subphylogroups (SP1, three haplotypes SP2, six haplotypes), Santos Bay (estuary) been considered presence putative barriers concordance with previous studies reporting biogeographic breaks southwest Atlantic Ocean, including isolation for red brown algae vicinity