Morphological and genetic variability among Ecklonia cava (Laminariales, Phaeophyceae) populations in Korea

• Published in: Algae (Korean Phycological Society) Vol. 30; no. 2; pp. 89 - 101
• Main Authors: Choi, Dong Mun, Ko, Young Wook, Kang, Rae-Seon, Kim, Jeong Ha
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Seoul Korean Society of Phycology (Han'gug Joryu Haghoe) 01.06.2015
• Subjects: Ecklonia cava; Laminariales; Phaeophyceae; INW, Korea, Rep; INW, Pacific
• ISSN: 1226-2617; 2093-0860
• DOI: 10.4490/algae.2015.30.2.089

Ecklonia cava Kjellman is a common kelp found in shallow subtidal in warm-temperate waters in the northwest Pacific Ocean. This species has shown substantial morphological variation along with subsistence in different locations and local environments. Researchers quantified the magnitude of morphological variation of E. cava from six populations along ∼700 km of coastline from Jeju Island to Dokdo in Korea. In addition, they examined genetic distance among the populations using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. Most morphological characteristics investigated were significantly different among locations. Multivariate analyses indicated two phenetically distinct groups (nearshore, sheltered vs. offshore, exposed), indicating wave exposure with turbidity are presumably major factors for the separation. With RAPD data, results of Nei's diversity (H) and AMOVA showed considerable variations in within- and between-populations. Results of Nei's analysis revealed three genetically distinct groups, not consistent with the morphological groupings, indicating that a time gap may exist between morphological and genetic variations.