Phylogenomics and taxon-rich phylogenies of new and historical specimens shed light on the systematics of Hypnea (Cystocloniaceae, Rhodophyta).

Cystocloniacae is a highly diverse family of Rhodophyta, including species of ecological and economic importance, whose phylogeny remains largely unresolved. Species delimitation is unclear, particularly in the most speciose genus, Hypnea, and cryptic diversity has been revealed by recent molecular assessments, especially in the tropics. Here, we carried out the first phylogenomic investigation of Cystocloniaceae, focused on the genus Hypnea, inferred from chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes including taxa sampled from new and historical collections. In this work, molecular synapomorphies (gene losses, InDels and gene inversions) were identified to better characterize clades in our congruent organellar phylogenies. We also present taxon-rich phylogenies based on plastid and mitochondrial markers. Molecular and morphological comparisons of historic collections with contemporary specimens revealed the need for taxonomic updates in Hypnea, the synonymization of H. marchantiae to a later heterotypic synonym of H. cervicornis and the description of three new species: H. davisiana sp. nov., H. djamilae sp. nov. and H. evaristoae sp. nov.

Coping with heatwaves: How a key species of seaweed responds to heat stress along its latitudinal gradient.

Marine heatwaves (MHWs) frequency and intensity are increasing around the globe, affecting marine ecosystems' structure and functioning. Understanding how key marine species respond to these short-term extreme events is urgent for predicting damage to coastal ecosystems. Hypnea pseudomusciformis presents distribution in different floristic provinces on the Brazilian coast: tropical, transition and warm-temperate. Here, we evaluate the effects of simulated heatwaves on H. pseudomusciformis populations by measuring the changes in algal growth, pigment content, and photosynthesis. Based on data for the last four decades, we characterized the MHW patterns for each of the three collection sites. Perturbation levels were identified as average intensity heatwave (Δ +2 °C), maximum intensity heatwave (Δ +4 °C) and extreme intensity heatwave (Δ +6 °C), with an average duration of seven days. Based on growth rate data, corroborated with measurements of photosynthesis fluorescence and pigment contents. H. pseudomusciformis populations exhibit distinct tolerance and physiological responses to MHWs. The tropical and transition specimens were affected by Δ + 4 °C and Δ + 6 °C MHW scenarios, while the warm-temperate specimens was the only one to recover in all the MHW scenarios tested. These data are worrisome under a global warming scenario and an increase in MHWs, indicating that tropical and transition specimens of H. pseudomusciformis may be at risk of local extinction. This knowledge will be fundamental in driving any future management intervention or policy change for the conservation of marine ecosystems.

Hemiselmis aquamarina sp. nov. (Cryptomonadales, Cryptophyceae), A Cryptophyte with A Novel Phycobiliprotein Type (Cr-PC 564).

Cryptophytes are a small group of photosynthetic biflagellate organisms distributed worldwide in fresh, brackish and marine waters. Although members of this class are easily distinguished from other groups, species identification is difficult and studies concerning their diversity are scarce. Two strains of an undescribed Hemiselmis species were isolated from the marine waters off Brazil and Japan. Analyses of morphology, phycobiliprotein spectral characterization, molecular phylogeny and ITS2 secondary structure comparisons were performed to assist the identification. The morphological features of Hemiselmis aquamarina sp. nov. matches that of other species from the same genus, but it has a new type of phycocyanin. Molecular phylogeny and ITS2 secondary structure support H. aquamarina as a distinct species. Furthermore, phylogenetic inferences indicate H. aquamarina as closely related to H. tepida, H. andersenii and H. rufescens. Currently, all Hemiselmis species have been described from the Northern Hemisphere and most from the subtropical region. H. aquamarina is the first species of this genus described from the South Atlantic.

Phylogeography of the Hypnea musciformis species complex (Gigartinales, Rhodophyta) with the recognition of cryptic species in the western Atlantic Ocean.

Populations of the marine benthic red macroalgae Hypnea musciformis and Hypnea pseudomusciformis along the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans were tested for phylogeographic structure using the DNA barcode COI-5P combined with rbcL for the construction of the phylogenetic tree. Strong patterns of genetic structure were detected across 210 COI-5P DNA sequences, and 37 COI-5P haplotypes were found, using multiple statistical approaches. Hypnea musciformis was found in the Northeast and Northwest Atlantic, the Mediterrean Sea, Namibia, and along the Pacific coast of Mexico. Two new putative species were detected, Hypnea sp. 1 in the Caribbean Sea and Hypnea sp. 2 in the Dominican Republic. Three distinct marine phylogeographic provinces were recognized in the Southern Hemisphere for H. pseudomusciformis: Uruguay, South-Southeast Brazil, and Northeast Brazil. The degree of genetic isolation and distinctness among these provinces varied considerably. The Uruguay province was the most genetically distinct, as characterized by four unique haplotypes not shared with any of the Brazilian populations. Statistically significant results support both, isolation by distance and isolation by environment hypotheses, explaining the formation and mantainance of phylogeographic structuring along the Uruguay-Brazil coast. Geographic, taxonomic and molecular marker concordances were found between our H. pseudomusciformis results and published studies. Furthermore, our data indicate that the Hawaiian introduced populations of H. musciformis contain Hypnea sp. 1 haplotypes, the current known distribution of which is restricted to the Caribbean.

Species-delimitation and phylogenetic analyses of some cosmopolitan species of Hypnea (Rhodophyta) reveal synonyms and misapplied names to H. cervicornis, including a new species from Brazil.

Hypnea has an intricate nomenclatural history due to a wide pantropical distribution and considerable morphological variation. Recent molecular studies have provided further clarification on the systematics of the genus; however, species of uncertain affinities remain due to flawed taxonomic identification. Detailed analyses coupled with literature review indicated a strong relationship among H. aspera, H. cervicornis, H. flexicaulis, and H. tenuis, suggesting a need for further taxonomic studies. Here, we analyzed sequences from two molecular markers (COI-5P and rbcL) and performed several DNA-based delimitation methods (mBGD, ABGD, SPN, PTP and GMYC). These molecular approaches were contrasted with morphological and phylogenetic evidence from type specimens and/or topotype collections of related species under a conservative approach. Our results demonstrate that H. aspera and H. flexicaulis represent heterotypic synonyms of H. cervicornis and indicate the existence of a misidentified Hypnea species, widely distributed on the Brazilian coast, described here as a new species: H. brasiliensis. Finally, inconsistencies observed among our results based on six different species delimitation methods evidence the need for adequate sampling and marker choice for different methods.

Gerenciamento de dados marinhos no contexto brasileiro

In a context of rapidly growing demand of information and production of technical and scientific knowledge about biotic and abiotic parameters of marine and coastal environments, the process of design integrated databases programs and geo-portals for disseminating information becomes imperative. Although isolated efforts have been proposed in recent years in Brazil, the creation of broadly accessible databases seems inevitable. Furthermore, the peculiarities of acquisition and processing marine data (expensive, complex and dynamic) demand an optimization of time and resources for new research projects and knowledge basis. In this work we address this issue contextualizing the demands for the implementation and marine data modelling projects, focusing on theoretical and practical aspects providing guidelines and connectivities establishing future efforts towards the dissemination of marine and coastal information in Brazil.

Em um contexto de franco crescimento de demanda e produção de conhecimento técnico e cientifico a respeito de parâmetros bióticos e abióticos de ambientes marinhos e costeiros, a concepção de programas de desenvolvimento de bancos de dados e geo-portais de disseminação de informação torna-se imperativa. Embora apenas esforços pontuais tenham sido propostos nos últimos anos, a criação de bases de dados de acesso mais amplo parece inevitável tendo em vista as peculiaridades práticas de aquisição e processamento de dados marinhos: caros, complexos e dinâmicos. Este trabalho pretende abordar tal questão contextualizando as necessidades e demandas para projetos desta natureza, focando aspectos teóricos e práticos da implementação de modelos de dados marinhos propondo diretrizes para que esforços futuros sejam estabelecidos visando a disseminação da informação marinha e costeira no Brasil.

Cytochemical characterization and ultrastructural organization in calluses of the agarophyte Gracilariopsis tenuifrons (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta).

The culture and physiology of red macroalgae calluses are well documented. To date, however, no report has either performed a cytochemical analysis or characterized the ultrastructural organization of calluses at different stages of development and under the effect of plant growth regulators. Therefore, to undertake such analyses, this work studied the red seaweed Gracilariopsis tenuifrons (Bird et Oliveira) Fredericq et Hommersand. Morphology studies suggested three types of calluses: a) terminal callus having an irregular amorphous shape and filamentous projections originating from the cortical region of the thallus; b) apical callus growing on apical branches and having an elongated semispherical shape; and c) intercalary callus developing along the intermediary region of the thallus and having the appearance of small declivities with irregular edges. The abundance of intercalary calluses over terminal and apical calluses is most likely a result of a major cortical surface that would support the cellular growth required to generate calluses. Callus development was initially observed as a matrix of cellular disorganization with filamentous projections; then, the cellular mass seemed to become more compact with spherical uncolored aspect. The presence of starch grains in the inner part of the explant could be explained by absorption from the culture medium and by proper biosynthesis during callus development. Cell wall reaction to staining suggested cellulose and agar composition with acidic polysaccharides. Results suggest that none of the three morphological types of calluses showed any significant differences on the basis of either cytochemistry or ultrastructural organization.

PHYLOGENETIC AFFINITIES OF "CHANTRANSIA" STAGES IN MEMBERS OF THE BATRACHOSPERMALES AND THOREALES (RHODOPHYTA)1.

This study evaluated the phylogenetic relationship among samples of "Chantransia" stage of the Batrachospermales and Thoreales from several regions of the world based on sequences of two genes-the plastid-encoded RUBISCO LSU gene (rbcL) and the nuclear SSU ribosomal DNA gene (SSU rDNA). All sequences of "Chantransia macrospora" were shown to belong to Batrachospermum macrosporum based on both molecular markers, confirming evidence from previous studies. In contrast, nine species are now associated with "Chantransia pygmaea," including seven species of the Batrachospermales and two of the Thoreales. Therefore, the presence of "C. macrospora" in a stream can be considered reliable evidence that it belongs to B. macrosporum, whereas the occurrence of "C. pygmaea" does not allow the recognition of any particular species, since it is associated with at least nine species. Affinities of "Chantransia" stages to particular taxa were congruent for 70.5% of the samples comparing the rbcL and SSU analyses, which were associated with the same or closely related species for both markers. Sequence divergences have been reported in the "Chantransia" stage in comparison to the respective gametophyte, and this matter deserves further attention.

GEITLERINEMA SPECIES (OSCILLATORIALES, CYANOBACTERIA) REVEALED BY CELLULAR MORPHOLOGY, ULTRASTRUCTURE, AND DNA SEQUENCING(1).

Geitlerinema amphibium (C. Agardh ex Gomont) Anagn. and G. unigranulatum (Rama N. Singh) Komárek et M. T. P. Azevedo are morphologically close species with characteristics frequently overlapping. Ten strains of Geitlerinema (six of G. amphibium and four of G. unigranulatum) were analyzed by DNA sequencing and transmission electronic and optical microscopy. Among the investigated strains, the two species were not separated with respect to cellular dimensions, and cellular width was the most varying characteristic. The number and localization of granules, as well as other ultrastructural characteristics, did not provide a means to discriminate between the two species. The two species were not separated either by geography or environment. These results were further corroborated by the analysis of the cpcB-cpcA intergenic spacer (PC-IGS) sequences. Given the fact that morphology is very uniform, plus the coexistence of these populations in the same habitat, it would be nearly impossible to distinguish between them in nature. On the other hand, two of the analyzed strains were distinct from all others based on the PC-IGS sequences, in spite of their morphological similarity. PC-IGS sequences indicate that these two strains could be a different species of Geitlerinema. Using morphology, cell ultrastructure, and PC-IGS sequences, it is not possible to distinguish G. amphibium and G. unigranulatum. Therefore, they should be treated as one species, G. unigranulatum as a synonym of G. amphibium.