Unravelling the hidden complexity in diversity and pigment composition of a colonial flagellate Synura sphagnicola (Chrysophyceae, Stramenopiles)

0578515 - MBÚ 2024 RIV CZ eng J - Journal Article
Škaloud, P. - Škaloudová, M. - Jadrná, I. - Pilátová, J. - Shin, W. - Kopecký, Jiří
Unravelling the hidden complexity in diversity and pigment composition of a colonial flagellate Synura sphagnicola (Chrysophyceae, Stramenopiles).
Fottea. Roč. 23, č. 2 (2023), s. 149-163. ISSN 1802-5439. E-ISSN 1805-4927
Institutional support: RVO:61388971
Keywords : scaled chrysophytes * astaxanthin * carotenoids * phylogeny * taxonomy * cryptic diversity * evolution * molecular phylogeny * morphology * pigments * Synura * Synurophyceae * taxonomy
OECD category: Microbiology
Impact factor: 2.2, year: 2022
Method of publishing: Open access
https://fottea.czechphycology.cz/pdfs/fot/2023/02/01.pdf

In this study, we aim to taxonomically evaluate a unique example of cryptic diversity in a freshwater protist species Synura sphagnicola, occurring at two evolutionary levels. First, we characterize two species, S. sphagnicola and S. rubra sp. nov., that diverged from one another approx. 14 Mya. These species are morpho-logically well differentiated by the morphology of silica scales. Second, we propose seven evolutionary young, but ecologically and geographically well differentiated lineages as separate sub-species, sphagnicola, agilis, borealis (within S. sphagnicola), rubra, ampla, bella and caelica (within S. rubra). In addition, we examine the autofluorescence and pigment composition of two selected strains, identifying fucoxanthin as a predominant carotenoid. We further show that the red droplets in the cytoplasm, a prominent feature of both species, are formed by a previously unknown pigment. Finally, we identify chlorophyll-c2 in S. sphagnicola. Since the lack of this pigment represents a major distinguishing character to discriminate between classes Synurophyceae and Chrysophyceae, we formally synonymize these taxa.
Permanent Link: https://hdl.handle.net/11104/0347504