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Hybridization between the endemic brown algae Carpophyllum maschalocarpum and Carpophyllum angustifolium (Fucales): Genetic and morphological evidence
Author(s) -
Hodge Fiona J.,
Buchanan Joseph,
Zuccarello Giuseppe C.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
phycological research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.438
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 1440-1835
pISSN - 1322-0829
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1835.2010.00583.x
Subject(s) - biology , fucales , hybrid , backcrossing , thallus , brown algae , botany , hybrid zone , population , zoology , algae , genetic variation , genetics , gene , gene flow , demography , sociology
SUMMARY Hybridization is an important evolutionary process, which can have significant effects on biodiversity. While hybridization is well known in plants, less is known about the prevalence of hybridization in other kingdoms. Hybridization in the field has been confirmed in brown algae in a few cases, mainly in the northern hemisphere genus Fucus . Putative hybrids have been found in the New Zealand endemic species Carpophyllum angustifolium and Carpophyllum maschalocarpum . We used nuclear‐encoded molecular data (ITS2) and morphometrics to confirm hybridization between C. angustifolium and C. maschalocarpum . Putative hybrid thalli were collected that had heterozygous ITS2, each copy corresponding to one of the parental species from that population. Morphological analysis also showed that the three classes (two parental species and hybrids) were easily distinguishable in these populations. It was found that the hybrids had an intermediate morphology to the parent species. Some individuals with C. angustifolium morphology had hybrid ITS2 ribotypes suggestive of backcrossing between the hybrids and C. angustifolium . Our data reveal another case of hybridization within the Fucales and suggests that further research on how these species remain separate is needed.