Molecular-assisted alpha taxonomy of the genus Rhodymenia (Rhodymeniaceae, Rhodymeniales) from Australia reveals overlooked species diversity

A molecular-assisted alpha taxonomy study of the genus Rhodymenia (Rhodymeniaceae, Rhodymeniales) from Australia has uncovered significant overlooked species diversity. The research resolved 188 specimens into 12 genetic species groups, identifying seven novel taxa (R. compressa, R. contortuplicata, R. gladiata, R. insularis, R. lociperonica, R. norfolkensis, and R. womersleyi) and confirming the presence of R. novazelandica in Lord Howe Island, expanding its biogeographic range. The study employed DNA barcoding (COI-5P) alongside morphological and biogeographic analyses to provide a reliable means of species identification, highlighting the importance of integrating multiple approaches for accurate taxonomic resolution.

Filloramo, G. V., & Saunders, G. W. (2016). Molecular-assisted alpha taxonomy of the genus Rhodymenia (Rhodymeniaceae, Rhodymeniales) from Australia reveals overlooked species diversity. European Journal of Phycology, 51(3), 354–367. https://doi.org/10.1080/09670262.2016.1170886