Molecular phylogeny and evolution of phenotype in silica-scaled chrysophyte genus Mallomonas

0510429 - BÚ 2020 RIV US eng J - Journal Article
Čertnerová, D. - Čertner, Martin - Škaloud, P.
Molecular phylogeny and evolution of phenotype in silica-scaled chrysophyte genus Mallomonas.
Journal of Phycology. Roč. 55, č. 4 (2019), s. 912-923. ISSN 0022-3646. E-ISSN 1529-8817
Institutional support: RVO:67985939
Keywords : chrysophyte, silica scales, phenotypic evolution * chrysophyte * silica scales
OECD category: Plant sciences, botany
Impact factor: 2.328, year: 2019
Method of publishing: Limited access

The evolution of phenotypes is highly understudied in protists, due to the dearth of morphological characters, missing fossil record, and/or unresolved phylogeny in the majority of taxa. We used chrysophyte genus Mallomonas (Stramenopiles) that forms species-specific silica scales as a model system and assessed values of 24 morphological traits across 43 species. Then, based on our updated phylogeny of the group, we employed phylogenetic comparative methods to reconstruct the evolution of phenotypes in Mallomonas. While the evolution of some traits was rather conserved (e.g. V-rib, dome), likely due to structural and mechanical constraints, other traits changed readily during the evolution of the genus, possibly reflecting environmental shifts. Phylogenetic relatedness was often reflected in phenotypic similarity, which justifies the use of traditional species concept based on silica scale morphology.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0302592