Assessing the use of the mitochondrial cox1 marker for use in DNA barcoding of red algae (Rhodophyta)

The red algae, a remarkably diverse group of organisms, are difficult to identify using morphology alone. Following the proposal to use the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) for DNA barcoding animals, we assessed the use of this, ne in the identification of red algae using 48 samples plus 31 sequences obtained from GenBank. The data set spanned six gene orders of red algae: the Bangiales, Ceramiales, Corallinales, Gigartinales, Gracilariales and Rhodymeniales. The results indicated that species could be discriminated. Intraspecific variation was between 0 and 4 bp over 539 bp analyzed except in Mastocarpus stellatus (0-14 bp) and Gracilaria gracilis (0-11 bp). Cryptic dive…