A DNA-Assisted Diversity Assessment of the Genus Caulerpa (Chlorophyta) in Thailand
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Abstract
The green algal genus Caulerpa is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical seas. However, its taxonomy is significantly complicated by high morphological plasticity and overlapping morphologies. Previous taxonomic studies of Caulerpa in Thailand were based on morphological observations. Meanwhile, molecular studies have challenged the taxonomic status of several Caulerpa species. This study aims to reassess Caulerpa diversity in Thailand using DNA barcodes –specifically, chloroplast-encoded tufA gene and nuclear ITS rDNA sequences –derived from newly collected specimens and to re-evaluate previous records from Thailand. DNA barcode analysis identified nine Caulerpa species: C. chemnitzia, C. cupressoides, C. lentillifera, C. macrodisca, C. racemosa, C. serrulata, C. sertularioides, C. taxifolia, and C. verticillata. In addition, based on distinctive morphological characteristics, three additional species were recognized from Thailand, though they were not collected during recent field surveys: C. ambigua, C. fastigiata, and C. manorensis. Notably, C. fastigiata has not been recorded for the past 50 years. The presence of C. mexicana in Thailand remains uncertain due to the lack of DNA barcode confirmation. Other previously reported Caulerpa species from Thailand were determined to be misidentifications. Specimens with peltate ramuli from the same collection site, initially presumed to be conspecific, were revealed by DNA barcoding to belong to two distinct species (C. racemosa and C. chemnitzia), highlighting the importance of molecular tools in resolving Caulerpa taxonomy.
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