We evaluated the relationships among species in the genus Gelidiella using 47 rbcL and 29 COI sequences, including those from 18 specimens collected in Madagascar. Molecular analyisis revealed the presence of three major lineages among Magalasy Gelidiella which were assigned, based on morpho-anatomical observation, to Gelidiella acerosa, G. ligulata and a so far not described species for which we here proposed the name G. incrassata. Both molecular and morphological data demonstrated the presence of three species in Madagascar: the G. acerosa complex, G. ligulata, and G. incrassata sp. nov., described here. Gelidiella incrassata was collected on small gravel from the intertidal down to a depth of 14 m on the southeast coast of Madagascar. It is distinguished by its large size (up to 7 cm), opposite to alternate ramuli, thick-walled cortical and medullary cells, and stalked tetrasporangial stichidia with irregular arrangement of tetrasporangia. Phylogenetic analyses of rbcL and COI sequences revealed the sister relationship between G. incrassata and G. fanii from southeast Asia and Hawaii. Gelidiella acerosa comprised three genetic groups in Madagascar, each being genetically distinct (pairwise distances, 4.9–8.3% for COI and 1.2–2.3% for rbcL). Further sampling of G. acerosa is needed before taxonomic revisions can be proposed. The distribution of G. ligulata is expanded to include the southwest Indian Ocean.

ATIMO VATAE

We investigated the globally distributed red algal genus Pterocladiella , comprising 24 described species, many of which are economically important sources of agar and agarose. We used DNA-based species delimitation approaches, phylogenetic, and historical biogeographical analyses to uncover cryptic diversity and infer the drivers of biogeographic patterns. We delimited 43 species in Pterocladiella , of which 19 are undescribed. Our multigene time-calibrated phylogeny and ancestral area reconstruction indicated that Pterocladiella most likely originated during the Early Cretaceous in the Tethys Sea. Ancient Tethyan vicariance and long-distance dispersal have shaped current distribution patterns. The ancestor of Eastern Pacific species likely arose before the formation of the formidable Eastern Pacific Barrier—a first confirmation using molecular data in red algae. Divergences of Northeast and Southeast Pacific species have been driven by the Central American Seaway barrier, which, paradoxically, served as a dispersal pathway for Atlantic species. Both long- and short-distance dispersal scenarios are supported by genetic relationships within cosmopolitan species based on haplotype analysis. Asymmetrical distributions and the predominance of peripatry and sympatry between sister species suggest the importance of budding speciation in Pterocladiella . Our study highlights the underestimation of global diversity in these crucial components of coastal ecosystems and provides evidence for the complex evolution of current species distributions.

ATIMO VATAE, KARUBENTHOS 2012, MADIBENTHOS, PAPUA NIUGINI