Algae. 1998; 13(4): 447-459.

Allozyme Variation and Species Relationships in the Genus Porphyra (Bangiales, Rhodophyta) from Korea

Mi-Sook Hwang, Miehie Han, In-Kyu Lee

Department of Biology, Seoul National University

Ten species and on form of Korean Porphyra were examined for genetic variation, species relationship and species delimitation by allozyme analysis using starch gel electrophoresis. Genetic variation was higher in dioecious species than that in monoecious species. Genetic identities between populations within species ranged from 0.529 to 0.998 with the highest value of 0.998 between two populations of P. okamurae and the lowest of 0.529 between two populations of P. yezoensis. Genetic identities between populations in different species ranged from 0.214 to 0.874. P. okamurae and P. suborbiculata had the highest genetic identities ranging from 0.796 to 0.874 (average 0.831) and P. ishigecola and P. pseudolinearis had the lowest ranging from 0.214 to 0.275 (average 0.245). Eleven taxa were divided into 4 groups at genetic distance 0.65 and most species were divided at 0.45. The grouping at 0.65 was associated with GPI allozymes and seemed to be concerned with sexuality and feature of spermatangial part. Results suggested that P. suborbiculata f. latifolia should be identified as a local population of P. suborbiculata, and P. ishigecola as P. yezoensis. P. okamurae and P. suborbiculata should be considered as subspecies level.

Keywords : allozyme analysis, electrophoresis, genetic distance, genetic identity, genetic variation, Porphyra, species relationship