ISSN:
1573-5117
Keywords:
Gracilaria
;
morphotypes
;
RAPD analysis
;
RFLP analysis
;
seaweed
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract The extreme phenotypic variability recognized among the species of Gracilaria has highlighted the need for the application of refined methods to help solve taxa identifications. In Chile, there still exists uncertainty about the exact number of Gracilaria species. Our investigations are centered on DNA analyses of morphotypes collected from different geographical locations, namely Lenga and Isla Santa María, Region VIII (36°00′ S to 38°00′ S), and Maullín, Region X (39°30′ S to 43°40′ S). These two regions of Chile are considered as areas of confluence of G. chilensis, G. verrucosa, and a species of Gracilariopsis. In this study four morphotypes, from a natural bed located in Maullín, were analyzed for RFLP of plastid DNA and the results compared with data of four morphotypes from a bed in Lenga. The DNA banding patterns from each enzyme digest were identical irrespective of morphotypes and/or locations. In an attempt to unravel the nature of the morphological differences found among Lenga and Maullín morphotypes, RAPD analyses of nuclear DNA were also performed; however, no polymorphism has been found yet. Therefore, the data of this study, as well as concurrent data from preliminary interfertility tests, suggest that all morphotypes belong to a single taxon, Gracilaria chilensis.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00047812
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