A molecular method for identification of the morphologically plastic invasive algal genera Eucheuma and Kappaphycus (Rhodophyta, Gigartinales) in Hawaii

摘要: A paucity of diagnostic morphological characters for identification and high plasticity within the genera Eucheuma Kappaphycus has led to confusion about distributions spread three introduced eucheumoid species in Hawaii. Entities previously identified as E. denticulatum, K. alvarezii, striatum have had profound negative effects on Oahu’s coral reef ecosystems. The use molecular tools aid algal been promising other morphologically challenging taxa. We used markers (partial nuclear 28S rRNA, partial plastid 23S mitochondrial 5′ COI) followed a DNA barcoding-like approach identify samples from Neighbor-joining analyses were congruent their separation Kappaphycus, resulting clusters consistent with those revealed global comparisons cox2-3 spacer GenBank data. Based these results, new insights into distribution groups