Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Biosystematic studies of the red algal genus Eucheuma. I. Electrophoretic variation among Florida populations

  • Published:
Marine Biology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Electrophoretic techniques were used to assess the degree of genetic differentiation among 4 species of the seaweed Eucheuma; E. isiforme, E. nudum, E. gelidium and E. acanthocladum. Nine Floridian populations were surveyed for 5 enzymes (14 loci), and compared using both phenotypic identity (I p )and Nei's genetic identity (I) statistics. Results suggest there is a very high degree of genetic similarity between E. isiforme and E. nudum (Ī=0.904), and between E. gelidium and E. acanthocladum (Ī=0.857), but a very low degree of similarity between these two pairs of species (Ī=0.372). These findings are in agreement with an earlier report which recommended the removal of E. gelidium and E. acanthocladum from the genus based on differences in reproductive anatomy. Greater genetic similarity was observed among the E. isiforme populations than among the E. nudum populations, the latter being ecologically more diverse and geographically or hydrographically more isolated. The proportion of polymorphic loci per population ranged from 0.25 to 0.36. Heterozygote deficiencies were observed at two acid phosphatase loci in offshore populations of E. nudum which showed a propensity for vegetative reproduction.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature cited

  • Avise, J.C.: Systematic value of electrophoretic data. Syst. Zool. 23, 465–481 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • — and R.K. Selander: Evolutionary genetics of cave-dwelling fishes of the genus Astyanax. Evolution, Lancaster, Pa. 26, 1–19 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • — and M.H. Smith: Gene frequency comparisons between sunfish (Centrarchidae) populations at various stages of evolutionary divergence. Syst. Zool. 26, 319–335 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • — and F.J. Ayala: Adaptive differentiation with little genic change between two native California minnows. Evolution, Lancaster, Pa. 29, 411–426 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ayala, F.J.: Genetic differentiation during the speciation process. In: Evolutionary biology, Vol. 8. pp 1–78. Ed. by T. Dobzhansky, M. Hecht and W. Steere. New York: Plenum Press 1975

    Google Scholar 

  • —, M.L. Tracy, D. Hedgecock and R.C. Richmond: Genetic differentiation during the speciation process in Drosophila. Evolution, Lancaster, Pa. 28, 576–592 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Babbel, G.R. and R.K. Selander: Genetic variability in edaphically restricted and widespread plant species. Evolution, Lancaster, Pa. 28, 619–630 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • — and R.P. Wain: Genetic structure of Hordeum jubatum I. Outcrossing rates and heterozygosity levels. Can. J. Genet. Cytol. 19, 143–152 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Baker, A. and R. Holton: Electrophoretic analysis of proteins and malic dehydrogenase isozymes in nine oscillatorian blue-green algae. Phycologia 12, 83–87 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Battaglia, B. and P.M. Bisol: Biochemical polymorphisms in marine crustaceans in relation to their ecology. Proc. Eur. mar. biol. Symp. 9, 578–585 (1975). (Ed. by H. Barnes. Aberdeen, UK: Abderdeen University Press 1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Berger, S., L. Sandakhchiev and H.G. Schweiger: Fine structural and biochemical markers of Dasycladaceae. J. Microscopie Biol. cell. 19, 89–104 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bers, E.P. and V.V. Pinevich: Study of lower algae proteins within the different taxonomic levels. I. Characteristics of soluble protein combination of some representatives of Chlorophyta and Cyanophyta. Vest. Leningr. gos. (Ser. Biol.) 15, 114–120 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapman, A.R.O.: The genetic basis of morphological differentiation in some Laminaria populations. Mar. Biol. 24, 85–91 (1974a)

    Google Scholar 

  • —: The ecology of macroscopic marine algae. In: Annual review of ecology and systematics, Vol. 5. pp 65–80. Ed. by R. Johnston. Palo Alto: Annual Reviews Inc. 1974b

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheney, D.P.: A biosystematic investigation of the red algal genus Eucheuma (Solieriaceae) in Florida, 209 pp. Ph.D. Thesis, University of South Florida, Tampa 1975

    Google Scholar 

  • — and C.J. Dawes: Biosystematic studies of the genus Eucheuma (Rhodophyta, Solieriaceae) in Florida. J. Phycol. 10 (Suppl.), p. 4 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheney, D.P. and C.J. Dawes: Taxonomic studies of the Florida species of Eucheuma (Rhodophyta; Solieriaceae). I. Initial considerations. Proc. int. Seaweed Symp. 8, (In press)

  • Croley, F.C. and C.J. Dawes: Ecology of algae of a Florida Key. I. A preliminary checklist, zonation, and seasonality. Bull. mar. Sci. 20, 165–185 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis, P.H. and V.H. Heywood: Principles of angiosperm taxonomy, 558 pp. New York: Krieger Publishing Co. 1965

    Google Scholar 

  • Dawes, C.J., A.C. Mathieson and D.P. Cheney: Ecological studies of Floridian Eucheuma (Rhodophyta, Gigartinales). I. Seasonal growth and reproduction. Bull. mar. Sci. 24, 235–273 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • De Silva, M. and E.M. Burrows: An experimental assessment of the status of the species Enteromorpha intestinalis (L.) Link and Enteromorpha compressa (L.) Grev. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 53, 895–904 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dixon, P.S.: The morphology, ecology and taxonomy of certain Florideae. Phycol. Bull. 6, 32–33 (1958)

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Variation and speciation in marine Rhodophyta. In: Speciation in the sea, pp 51–62. Ed. by J.P. Harding and N. Tebble. London: Systematics Association 1963

    Google Scholar 

  • —: On the form of the thallus in the Florideophyceae. In: Trends in plant morphogenesis, pp 45–63. Ed. by E. Cutter. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1966

    Google Scholar 

  • —: A critique of the taxonomy of marine algae. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 175, 617–622 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fang, T.C., B.Y. Jiang and J.J. Li: On the inheritance of stipe length in haidai (Laminaria japonica Aresch.). Acta bot. sin. 10, 327–335 (1962)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gallagher, J.: Population genetics of Skeletonema costatum (Grev.) Cleve over yearly cycles of abundance in Narragansett Bay. J. Phycol. 13 (Suppl.), p. 23 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gooch, J.L.: Mechanisms of evolution and population genetics. In: Marine ecology, Vol. II. Physiological mechanisms, Part 1. pp 349–409. Ed. by O. Kinne. New York: Wiley Interscience 1975

    Google Scholar 

  • Gottlieb, L.D.: Gel electrophoresis: new approach to the study of evolution. BioSci. 21, 939–944 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Enzyme differentiation and phylogeny in Clarkia franciscona, C. rubicunda and C. amoena. Evolution, Lancaster, Pa. 27, 205–214 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Allelic diversity in the outcrossing annual plant Stephanomeria exigua spp. carotifera (Compositae). Evolution, Lancaster, Pa. 29, 213–225 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hedgecock, D. and F.J. Ayala: Evolutionary divergence in the genus Taricha (Salamandridae). Copeia 1974, 738–747 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hedrick, P.: A new approach to measuring genetic similarity. Evolution, Lancaster, Pa. 25, 276–280 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Genetic similarity and distance: comments and comparisons. Evolution, Lancaster, Pa. 29, 362–366 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Holton, R.W.: Electrophoresis and the taxonomy of algae. Bull. Torrey bot. Club 100, 297–303 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hubby, J.L. and L.H. Throckmorton: Protein differences in Drosophila. IV. A study of sibling species. Am. Nat. 102, 193–205 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Koehn, R.K. and J.B. Mitton: Population genetics of marine pelecypods. I. Ecological heterogeneity and evolutionary strategy at an enzyme locus. Am. Nat. 106, 47–56 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kornfield, I.L. and R.K. Koehn: Genetic variation and speciation in new world cichlids. Evolution, Lancaster, Pa. 29, 427–437 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kylin, H.: Die Gattungen der Rhodophyceen, 673 pp. Lund: Gleerups Forlag 1956

    Google Scholar 

  • Levene, H.: On a matching problem arising in genetics. Ann. math. Statist. 20, 91–94 (1949)

    Google Scholar 

  • Levin, D. and W.L. Crepet: Genetic variation in Lycopodium lucidulum: a phylogenetic relic. Evolution, Lancaster, Pa. 27, 622–632 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewontin, R.C.: The genetic basis of evolutionary change, 346 pp. New York: Columbia University Press 1974

    Google Scholar 

  • Malinowski, K.C.: Codium fragile — the ecology and population biology of a colonizing species, 135 pp. Ph.D. Thesis, Yale University, New Haven 1974

    Google Scholar 

  • Mallery, C.H. and N. Richardson: Disc gel electrophoresis of proteins of Rhodophyta. Proc. int. Seaweed Symp. 7, 292–300 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Marshall, D.R. and R.W. Allard: Genetics of electrophoretic variants in Avena. I. The esterase E4, E9, E10, phosphatase P5 and anodal peroxidase APX5 loci in A. barbata. J. Hered. 60, 17–19 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Murphy, L.S. and R.R.L. Guillard: Biochemical taxonomy of marine phytoplankton by electrophoresis of enzymes. I. The centric diatoms Thalassiosira pseudonana and T. fluviatilis. J. Phycol. 12, 9–13 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Nei, M.: Genetic distance between populations. Am. Nat. 106, 283–292 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Peak, M.J., J.G. Peak and L.P. Ting: Isoenzymes of malate dehydrogenase and their regulation in Euglena gracilis Z. Biochim. biophys. Acta 284, 1–15 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Richardson, B.J., P.G. Johnston, P. Clark and G.B. Sharman: An evaluation of electrophoresis as a taxonomic method using comparative data from the Macropodidae (Marsupialia). Biochem. Syst. 1, 203–209 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Richardson, N. and C.H. Mallery: Some chemosystematic aspects of the Audoudinella (Acrochaetium-Rhodochorton) complex. Am. J. Bot. 60, 1051–1056 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rueness, J. and M. Rueness: Genetic control of morphogenesis in two varieties of Antithamnion plumula (Rhodophyceae, Ceramiales). Phycologia 14, 81–85 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Scandalios, J.G.: Isozymes in development and differentiation. A. Rev. Pl. Physiol. 25, 225–258 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Selander, R.K.: Genic variation in natural populations. In: Molecular evolution, pp 21–45. Ed. by F.J. Ayala. Sunderland, Massachusetts: Sinauer Associates, Inc. 1976

    Google Scholar 

  • Sundene, O.: Form variation in Antithamnion plumula. Experiments in Plymouth and Oslofjord strains in culture. Nytt Mag. Bot. 7, 181–187 (1959)

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, W.R.: Marine algae of the eastern tropical and subtropical coasts of the Americas, 870 pp. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press 1960

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomas, D.L. and R.M. Brown: New taxonomic criteria in the classification of Chlorococcum species. III. Isozyme analysis. J. Phycol. 6, 293–299 (1970a)

    Google Scholar 

  • ——: Isozyme analysis and morphological variation of thirty-two isolates of Protosiphon. Phycologia 9, 285–292 (1970b)

    Google Scholar 

  • — and J.B. Delcarpio: Electrophoretic analysis of enzymes from three species of Chlamydomonas. Am. J. Bot. 58, 716–720 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Torres, M. and G. Hart: Developmental specificity and evolution of the acid phosphatase isozymes of Triticum aestivum and its progenitor species. Biochem. Genet. 14, 595–609 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Tracey, M.L., N.F. Bellet and C.D. Gravem: Excess allozyme homozygosity and breeding population structure in the mussel Mytilus californianus. Mar. Biol. 32, 303–311 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Turner, B.J.: Genetic divergence of Death Valley pupfish species: biochemical versus morphological evidence. Evolution, Lancaster, Pa. 28, 281–294 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Turner, B.L.: Chemosystematics: recent developments. Taxon 18, 134–151 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Webster, T.P., R.K. Selander and S.Y. Yang: Genetic variability and similarity in the Anolis lizards of Bimini. Evolution, Lancaster, Pa. 26, 523–535 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams, J., W. Grey, E. Murphy and J. Crane: Drift bottle analyses of eastern Gulf of Mexico surface circulation. In: Memoirs of the Hourglass Cruises, Vol. IV. Pt 3. pp 1–134. St. Petersburg: Florida Department of Natural Resources 1977

    Google Scholar 

  • Wutz, M. and K. Zetsche: Biochemistry and regulation of the heteromorphic life cycle of the green alga Derbesia-Halicystis. Planta 129, 211–216 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zouros, E.: Genic differentiation associated with the early stages of speciation in the mulleri subgroup of Drosophila. Evolution, Lancaster, Pa. 27, 601–621 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA

    D. P. Cheney & G. R. Babbel

  2. Jackson Estuarine Laboratory, University of New Hampshire, Adams Pt., RFD 1, 03824, Durham, New Hampshire, USA

    D. P. Cheney

Authors
  1. D. P. Cheney
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. G. R. Babbel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Communicated by M.R. Tripp, Newark

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Cheney, D.P., Babbel, G.R. Biosystematic studies of the red algal genus Eucheuma. I. Electrophoretic variation among Florida populations. Mar. Biol. 47, 251–264 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00541003

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00541003

Keywords

Search

Navigation