University of New Hampshire University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository Doctoral Dissertations Student Scholarship Fall 2006 A molecular and morphological investigation of the red seaweed genus Porphyra (Bangiales, Rhodophyta) in the northwest Atlantic Troy Lee Bray University of New Hampshire, Durham Follow this and additional works at: https://scholars.unh.edu/dissertation Recommended Citation Bray, Troy Lee, "A molecular and morphological investigation of the red seaweed genus Porphyra (Bangiales, Rhodophyta) in the northwest Atlantic" (2006). Doctoral Dissertations. 360. https://scholars.unh.edu/dissertation/360 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Scholarship at University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Doctoral Dissertations by an authorized administrator of University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. A MOLECULAR AND MORPHOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF THE RED SEAWEED GENUS PORPHYRA (BANGIALES, RHODOPHYTA) IN THE NORTHWEST ATLANTIC BY TROY LEE BRAY B. S., Henderson State University, 1996 M. S. E., Henderson State University, 2000 M. S., University of New Hampshire, 2003 DISSERTATION Submitted to the University of New Hampshire in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Plant Biology September, 2006 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. UMI Number: 3245748 INFORMATION TO USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleed-through, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. ® UMI UMI Microform 3245748 Copyright 2007 by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest Information and Learning Company 300 North Zeeb Road P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. This dissertation has been examined and approved. Dissertation Co-Directoj/Dr. Christopher D. Neefus Associate Professor of Plant Biology and Biometrics Dissertation Co-Director, Dr. Arthur C. Mathieson Professor of Plant Biology Dr. Anita S. Klein Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Genetics and Plant Biology / Garrett E. Crow rofessor of Plant Biology Dr. Charles Ysmsh Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Connecticut 3 0 \J (J ~ > n <5* 2 L C D 0 S Date Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Dr. Chris Neefus and Dr. Arthur C. Mathieson for their unwavering support and endless patience during my doctoral program. The guidance and direction provided by both Dr. Neefus and Dr. Mathieson were vital to my success and provided me with an example I hope to emulate throughout my professional career. I would also like to thank Dr. Anita S. Klein for her assistance in the use and understanding of molecular tools as well as Dr. Garrett Crow for his contribution to my understanding of biogeography and for always keeping me on task. I would also like to express my appreciation to Dr. Charles Yarish for introducing me to the international world of Phycology and for his careful review of this dissertation. The graciousness of Dr. Gary W. Saunders and his lab for inviting me to learn molecular techniques at their facilities at the University of New Brunswick, Canada, is duly recognized and appreciated. I would like to recognize the following individuals who also provided me with additional molecular training and advice: Rachel Freeman, Dr. Brian Teasdale, and Dr. Aaron Wallace. Without the day to day support of my lab partner, Jennifer Day, this task would have at times been unbearable. I am grateful to her for being a steadfast and supportive friend throughout my doctoral program. Other graduate students, faculty, and staff that made my time at UNH so enjoyable include: Priya Wiley, iii Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Dr. Mark Leftsrud, Adam Bradley, Dr. Janet Sullivan, Dr. Owen Rodgers, Dr. Lee Jahnke, Charlotte Cooper, and Flora Joyal. My dissertation research was supported by funds from NOAA Sea Grant (NA16RG1035 and NA060AR4170109) and USDA NH Agriculture Experiment Station (Hatch NH00379 and NH00439). Finally, I want to recognize the patience, support, and love of my family without which I could not have completed this work. My wife, Debbie, and my three children, Tabitha, Adam, and Alex, have always been supportive of my passion and desire to teach at a collegiate level. I would also like to recognize the support of my parents, Herschel and Ann Bray, who taught me by example the meaning of perseverance and hard work. iv Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.......................................................................................iii LIST OF TABLES.................................................................................................viii LIST OF FIGURES.................................................................................................ix ABSTRACT............................................................................................................ x INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................... 1 CHAPTER I. SEAWEED BIOGEOGRAPHY......................................................... 5 Introduction .................................................................................................. 5 Historical Synopsis of Seaweed Biogeography ...........................................8 Long-range Dispersal of Seaweeds ............................................................ 9 Seaweed Speciation in the North Atlantic ................................................. 11 Human Mediation of Introductions .............................................................17 CHAPTER II. A MORPHOLOGICAL AND MOLECULAR INVESTIGATION OF THE PORPHYRA ‘PURPUREA’ COMPLEX IN THE NORTHWEST ATLANTIC.................................................................................................28 Abstract...................................................................................................... 28 Introduction ................................................................................................ 30 Materials and Methods ...............................................................................33 DNA Extraction, Sequence and Analysis ......................................33 Morphological Evaluations............................................................ 35 Results....................................................................................................... 37 Molecular Characterization ............................................................ 37 Temporal, Geographical, and Ecological Patterns .........................38 Morphological and Anatomical Characterization ........................... 40 Discussion .................................................................................................42 Synonymization of Porphyra purpurea and Porphyra rediviva 42 Comparisons of Porphyra purpurea, P. birdiae, and P. katadae... 48 Conclusions .....................................................................................49 CHAPTER III. THE OCCURRENCE OF INTRODUCED ASIATIC SPECIES OF PORPHYRA TO THE COAST OF NEW ENGLAND AND GULF COAST OF TEXAS................................................................................................. 58 Abstract...................................................................................................... 58 Introduction ................................................................................................60 Materials and Methods .............................................................................. 64 Collections ......................................................................................64 Molecular Methods ......................................................................... 64 Phylogenies ....................................................................................66 Morphological and Ecological Assessments ..................................66 Results....................................................................................................... 67 Comparison of Asian and New England Porphyra yezoensis 67 v Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Molecular Features.............................................................. 68 Morphological Comparisons................................................69 Distribution and Ecology ...................................................... 72 Comparison of Asian and New England Porphyra katadae.......... 73 Molecular Features.............................................................