Benthic diatoms diversity in intertidal mudflats of Geunso-man, Taean, west coast of Korea

Abstract

In the mudflat, benthic diatoms’ identification and classification are one of the most challenge because of its morphological similarity and variations with small size of cell. In present study, we isolated and developed 64 strains of benthic diatom from the intertidal mudflat of Geunso-man, Taean, west coast of Korea. The new strains were identified 56 species of 14 genera, and used in morphological and genetic analysis, plastid rbcL and nuclear 18S rDNA. The rbcL and 18S rDNA sequences were useful to identifying strains. The P-distance of rbcL and 18S rDNA compared in the genus and family levels. 41 strains of newly identified 20 species were belong to the Bacillariaceae (23 strains) and Naviculaceae (21 strains). In the nitzschoid diatoms, Bacillaria and Cylindrotheca were monophyletic, however, Nitzshia and Tryblionella were polyphyletic. Naviculoid diatoms include monophyletic genera, Haslea, Gyrosigma, Pleurosigma and Navicula. Two tube dwelling diatoms (i.e. Berkeleya and Parlibellus) were grouped within asymmetrical biraphid diatoms comprising of the genus Entomoneis and Petrodictyon. These results will useful for better understandings on molecular and morphological diversity studies of benthic diatoms.hic diatom from the intertidal mudflat of Geunso-man, Taean, west coast of Korea. The new strains were identified 56 species of 14 genera, and used in morphological and genetic analysis, plastid rbcL and nuclear 18S rDNA. The rbcL and 18S rDNA sequences were useful to identifying strains. The P-distance of rbcL and 18S rDNA compared in the genus and family levels. 41 strains of newly identified 20 species were belong to the Bacillariaceae (23 strains) and Naviculaceae (21 strains). In the nitzschoid diatoms, Bacillaria and Cylindrotheca were monophyletic, however, Nitzshia and Tryblionella were polyphyletic. Naviculoid diatoms include monophyletic genera, Haslea, Gyrosigma, Pleurosigma and Navicula. Two tube dwelling diatoms (i.e. Berkeleya and Parlibellus) were grouped within asymmetrical biraphid diatoms comprising of the genus Entomoneis and Petrodictyon. These results will useful for better understandings on molecular and morphological diversity studies of benthic diatoms.