Are they real red algal parasites? - mitochondria and plastid genome analysis

Abstract

Kintokiocloax aggregato-cerantha (Halymeniales, Rhodophyta) have been known as a parasitic alga on Grateloupia angusta based on morphological characters i.e., diminutive thallus size and nature of attachment to the host. To test the relationships between host and parasite, the mitochondrial and plastid genomes of Grateloupia angusta and Kintokiocolax aggregato-cerantha were analyzed.nships between host and parasite, the mitochondrial and plastid genomes of Grateloupia angusta and Kintokiocolax aggregato-cerantha were analyzed.