Molecular and phylogenetic assessment of foliose Ulva Linnaeus, (Ulvophyceae, Chlorophyta) in Indian subcontinent

Abstract

Green algae, Ulva Linnaeus, 1753 (Ulvales, Chlorophyta), is found abundantly in intertidal regions of the coasts. Members of the genus exist in foliose, filamentous, and tubular forms and may be distromatic or monostromatic. This study investigates the phylogenetic distribution of foliose Ulva from various geographical locations in India. The morphological and microscopic features of 20 specimens were studied, and ITS, tufA, 18S, and atpB regions were sequenced using specific primers. BLAST results were used for similarity search and MEGAX for phylogenetic reconstruction using these amplified sequences. A total of 35 sequences were generated and used to trace back the evolution of different species and the effects of geographical locations on the cryptic diversity of Ulva. Also, this study reports the occurrence of Ulva fasciata, Ulva reticulata, Ulva taeniata, Ulva linza, and Ulva ohnoi. A pressed herbarium voucher was prepared for future records of each sample.