ALBERT

Description:    During the summer of 2008 and 2009, massive algal blooms repeatedly broke out in the Yellow Sea of China. These were undoubtedly caused by the accumulations of one or more species in the macroalgal genus Ulva . In previous reports, morphological observation indicated that the species involved in this phenomenon is Ulva prolifera but molecular analyses indicated that the species belongs to an Ulva linza–procera–prolifera (LPP) clade. Correct identification of the bloom species is required to understand and manage the blooms, but the taxonomic status of the bloom species remains unclear. In the current study, the taxonomic status of 22 selected specimens from the Yellow Sea was assessed by using both morphological and molecular (ITS and rbcL sequences) data. In addition, 5S rDNA analyses were performed for those samples clustering in the LPP clade, and phylogenetic tree and ribotype analyses were constructed for determining the possible origin of the bloom. Three free-floating and two attached Ulva species were distinguished and described: Ulva compressa Linnaeus and Ulva pertusa Kjellman were found in free-floating samples; U. linza Linnaeus was found on rocks; and U. prolifera O.F. Müller was found in both habitats. Diversity in free-floating Ulva of the Yellow Sea appears to be greater than previously thought. The dominant free-floating Ulva species, U. prolifera , was not closely related to local populations attached to rocks but was closely related to populations from Japan. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9654-7 Authors Weijun Duan, Ningbo Entry–Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, No. 9, Mayuan Road, Haishu District, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province 315012, People’s Republic of China Lixin Guo, Ningbo Entry–Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, No. 9, Mayuan Road, Haishu District, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province 315012, People’s Republic of China Dong Sun, Xuzhou Normal University, No. 29, Shanghai Road, Tongshan New Borough, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province 221116, People’s Republic of China Shuifang Zhu, Institute of Animal and Plant Quarantine, Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine, No. 241, Huixin West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100121 People’s Republic of China Xianfeng Chen, Ningbo Entry–Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, No. 9, Mayuan Road, Haishu District, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province 315012, People’s Republic of China Wenrong Zhu, Xiangshan Xuwen Seaweed Development Co., Ltd., No. 150, Ningzhou Road, Jiangdong District, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province 315040, People’s Republic of China Tao Xu, Institute of Animal and Plant Quarantine, Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine, No. 241, Huixin West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100121 People’s Republic of China Changfa Chen, Qingdao Entry–Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, No.2, Zhongshan Road, Shinan District, Qingdao, Shangdong Province 266001, People’s Republic of China Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971