Taxonomic studies on the genus Gloiopeltis (Rhodophyta, Gigartinales) from the Yellow Sea and Korea Strait coast, including descriptions of two new species
摘要
Gloiopeltis species are widespread in the temperate-subtropical Pacific Northwest, showing variable morphology, high genetic diversity, and many cryptic species. The Yellow Sea and Korea Strait, a well-documented temperate region, offer an ideal setting for macroalgal genetic and biogeographic studies. This study conducted taxonomic research on Gloiopeltis samples collected from two coastal areas of the Yellow Sea: Qingdao City, Shandong Province, China, and Jeju Island, South Korea. Based on morphological observations and molecular markers [rbcL and Universal Plastid Amplicon (UPA) sequences], taxonomic and phylogenetic studies were conducted. Three species of the genus Gloiopeltis were identified, including two new species, Gloiopeltis qingjiensis sp. nov. and G. compacta sp. nov., and the type species of the genus, G. tenax. The new species are morphologically variable and are mainly distinguished by microscopic sections, showing clear “genetic species” differentiation at the molecular level.