Molecular Analysis Resolves the Taxonomy of the Laurencia Complex (Rhodomelaceae, Ceramiales) in Bermuda and Uncovers Novel Species of Chondrophycus and Laurenciella

In the last decade, molecular tools have revealed a significant number of previously unrecognized taxa in Bermuda's marine flora, especially among Rhodophyta. A species been persistently misidentified based on morphological similarities to described from other localities. Some assigned existing not reported for islands, and many determined be novel species. Of late, researchers substantially modified ‘Laurencia complex’ several regions around globe. Herein, we confirm presence Bermuda five eight genera recognized this complex – Laurencia J.V.Lamouroux, Chondrophycus (J.Tokida & Y.Saito) Garbary J.T.Harper, Palisada (Yamada) K.W.Nam, Yuzurua (K.W.Nam) Martin-Lescanne Laurenciella Cassano, Gil-Rodríguez, Senties, Díaz-Larrea, M.C.Oliveira M.T.Fujii, discuss historically presently known islands. Both rbcL chloroplast sequences COI-5P mitochondrial support recognition at least two what has labeled L. obtusa Bermuda, these dendroidea J.Agardh catarinensis Cordeiro-Marino M.T.Fujii analyses. We present new species, planiparvus Popolizio, C.W.Schneider C.E.Lane, sp. nov. namii nov., latter genetically distinct marilzae (Gil-Rodriguez, Sentíes, Diaz-Larrea, Cassano M.T.Fujii) Gil-Rodriguez, mayaimii Collado-Vides, an undescribed Brazil. also used ITS (rRNA) explore limits catarinensis, microcladia Kützing. full description microcladia, recent collections Caribbean Sea, is included study.