Molecular Phylogenetics of Marine Algae

Molecular phylogenetics has transformed the study of marine algae by employing DNA sequence data to resolve evolutionary relationships among Chlorophyta, Rhodophyta and Ochrophyta. Early work relied on nuclear ribosomal markers such as SSU rDNA and ITS regions to define broad clades, revealing that traditional morphology often underestimates diversity and obscures cryptic lineages. More recently, plastid-encoded genes (rbcL, psbA, tufA) and mitochondrial loci have provided finer resolution at genus and species levels, enabling the discovery of new taxa and the reassessment of long-standing classifications. High-throughput sequencing and metabarcoding approaches have further expanded our understanding of algal biodiversity by uncovering rare or minute taxa in diverse habitats. Combined nuclear–plastid phylogenies and molecular-clock analyses have illuminated biogeographical patterns, showing how tectonic shifts, ocean currents and thermal tolerance have shaped present-day distributions. These molecular frameworks are now critical for ecological monitoring, conservation of keystone species (such as Sargassum and Caulerpa) and the sustainable exploitation of algal resources in biotechnology. By integrating genomic data with morphological and ecological information, molecular phylogenetics offers a robust and accessible system for charting the evolutionary history of marine algae on a global scale.

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Molecular Phylogenetics of Marine Algae publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in molecular phylogenetics of marine algae across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Molecular phylogenetics: Use of DNA sequences to infer evolutionary relationships among organisms.

Monophyly: A group of organisms that includes a common ancestor and all its descendants.

DNA barcode: A standardized short genetic sequence used for species identification.

SSU rDNA: Small subunit ribosomal DNA, a conserved nuclear marker for broad phylogenies.

tufA: A plastid-encoded gene widely used as a barcode marker in green algae.

Universal plastid amplicon (UPA): A short plastid region enabling rapid biodiversity assessments and metabarcoding.

References

1. The New Genus Caulinema Revealed New Insights into the Generic Relationship of the Order Ulotrichales (Ulvophyceae, Chlorophyta). Microorganisms (2024).
2. Taxonomic Insights into Caulerpa (Bryopsidales, Chlorophyta) Species in French Polynesia: Confirmation of 13 Species and Reinstatement of C. pickeringii Harvey & Bailey. Diversity (2024).
3. A Molecular-Informed Species Inventory of the Order Ceramiales (Rhodophyta) in the Narragansett Bay Area (Rhode Island and Massachusetts), USA. Diversity (2024).