Cladophoropsis brachyartra from southern South America is a synonym of Wittrockiella lyallii (Cladophorophyceae, Chlorophyta), previously regarded as endemic to New Zealand

Abstract

Boedeker C., Ramírez M.E. and Nelson W.A. 2010. Cladophoropsis brachyartra from southern South America is a synonym of Wittrockiella lyalli (Cladophorophyceae, Chlorophyta), previously regarded as endemic to New Zealand. Phycologia 49: 525–536. DOI: 10.2216/09-98.1

Wittrockiella lyallii is a poorly known green macroalga that has been regarded as endemic to southern New Zealand. A herbarium specimen from southern Chile was discovered that conforms to the description of W. lyallii. Subsequently, it was realised that the South American species Cladophoropsis brachyartra is morphologically and ecologically equivalent to W. lyallii. Sequences of three ribosomal genes, including the internal transcribed spacer, from material collected in Chile and New Zealand are identical, suggesting recent long-distance dispersal from New Zealand to South America. The synonymisation of C. brachyartra with W. lyallii is presented here. Furthermore, the resulting disjunct distribution of the species is discussed in the light of sea surface temperatures, habitat availability in the Southern Ocean and winter sea ice extent during the last glacial maximum.

Key Words::

• Biogeography
• Chile
• Cladophorales
• Cladophorophyceae
• Cladophoropsis brachyartra
• Internal transcribed spacer
• Long-distance dispersal
• New Zealand
• rDNA sequences
• Siphonocladus brachyartrus
• Southern Ocean
• Subantarctic
• Synonymy
• Vicariance
• Wittrockiella lyallii

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We acknowledge the help of Juliet Brodie and Jennifer Bryant (NHM London), Marcel Eurlings, Bertie Joan van Heuven and Michael Stech (NHN Leiden), Svenja Heesch (Scottish Association for Marine Science), Frederik Leliaert (Ghent University), and Herre Stegenga. Charles O'Kelly provided some general information on Wittrockiella. Erika MacKay (NIWA) is acknowledged for assistance with Fig. 13. Jenn Dalen (Herbarium of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa) is thanked for assistance with access to specimens; the New Zealand Foundation for Research Science and Technology is thanked for for WAN (CO1X0502). The NHM visit of CB was financed through the Schuure-Beijerinck-Popping Fonds.