Bibliographic Detail
Saunders, G.W. & Lehmkuhl, K.V., 2005
Reference:
Saunders, G.W. & Lehmkuhl, K.V. (2005). Molecular divergence and morphological diversity among four cryptic species of Plocamium (Plocamiales, Florideophyceae) in northern Europe. European Journal of Phycology 40: 293-312.
Abstract:
The Plocamiaceae currently includes two genera: the free-living Plocamium and the adelphoparasite, Plocamiocolax.
Plocamium includes ca. 40 species that are widely distributed throughout the worlds oceans. Most species are clearly defined
anatomically and biogeographically; however, the type species Plocamium cartilagineum (type locality: considered northern
Europe) is an exception. Although reportedly cosmopolitan in distribution, our investigations unequivocally indicate that
there is substantial genetic diversity among isolates from different geographic locations and that there are at least eight
divergent cryptic species currently included in P. cartilagineum. In this investigation we focused on populations of
P. cartilagineum from northern Europe. We used a combination of molecular and morphological characters in order to
establish boundaries between four cryptic species in this geographical area. Our molecular results not only resolve these four
entities as distinct, but also indicate that they are among the most divergent of all Plocamium species worldwide. As a result,
we now recognize P. cartilagineum, Plocamium subtile, Plocamium nanum sp. nov. and Plocamium maggsiae sp. nov. in
northern Europe. A preliminary assessment of P. cartilagineum in other geographical areas is provided.
