The benthic chlorophyte genus Jaoa (Ulvales), a putative China endemic, in Lake Garda, Italy: ecology, taxonomy, and molecular analyses

0430432 - BÚ 2015 RIV US eng J - Journal Article
Mareš, Jan - Cantonati, M. - Guella, G. - Spitale, D.
The benthic chlorophyte genus Jaoa (Ulvales), a putative China endemic, in Lake Garda, Italy: ecology, taxonomy, and molecular analyses.
Freshwater Science. Roč. 33, č. 2 (2014), s. 593-605. ISSN 2161-9549. E-ISSN 2161-9565
Institutional support: RVO:67985939
Keywords : green algae * taxonomy * benthos
Subject RIV: EF - Botanics
Impact factor: 1.941, year: 2014

An unknown green macroalga was dominant in the rocky littoral zone of Lake Garda (southeastern Alps). Morphological and phylogenetic analyses indicated the alga was in the genus Jaoa, considered endemic to China. Most characteristics were in agreement with the description of Jaoa bullata. Phylogenetic analysis based on 3 loci (rbcL, nrDNA 18S, and ITS) placed the alga in a clade with a sample identified as Jaoa prasina from a Chinese population. The alga is a siphonaxanthin-type species that possesses only nonP lipids as structural components of chloroplast and other cell membranes. The alga is easily detected with the naked eye, occupies a characteristic belt in the eulittoral zone, and can be found wherever hard substrata are available. Neither this species nor similar taxa are mentioned in historical papers on benthic algae of Lake Garda, so the alga probably was introduced to the lake in relatively recent times.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0235369