Jackson Estuarine Laboratory
The taxonomic implications of genetic and environmentally induced variations in seaweed morphology
Abstract
Morphological characters are the most widely used criteria for the discrimination of seaweed taxa. Even so, many examples of extreme phenotypic plasticity are known. Thus, several phycologists have recently initiated studies to evaluate the phenotypic range of taxa under varied conditions as well as to explore the degree of genetic control of individual characters. Several experimental techniques have been employed to enumerate the significance and basis of phenotypic plasticity in seaweeds, including culture studies, detailed seasonal observations of in situ populations, reciprocal transplantation of plants to diverse habitats, statistical analysis of character variations, and evaluation of genetic affinities. Obviously, the taxonomic status of seaweeds should reflect their genetic relationships. Three primary approaches are outlined including electrophoretic studies, quantitative genetic evaluations, and hybridization studies. A detailed summary of these genetic studies, as well as the other experimental field and laboratory techniques, is given in order to critically assess traditional taxonomic criteria and to aid in the search for new ones.
An evaluation of the relative merits of morphological and biochemical characters in species delimitations is also outlined. It is suggested that there should be no tacit assumption that biochemical features are in some way more fundamental than morphological ones. Thus, even seemingly trivial morphological features may be of great adaptive value, even though not apparent to the taxonomist. A good taxonomic character is constant, readily observable, and the plant should survive identification. If obscure characters are used to delimit species, strenuous efforts should be made to correlate these characters with more readily observable ones.
Publication Date
7-1981
Journal Title
The Botanical Review
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Document Type
Article
Rights
Copyright © 1981, Springer Nature
Recommended Citation
Mathieson, A.C., T.A. Norton, and M. Neushul. 1981. The taxonomic implications of genetic and environmentally induced variations in seaweed morphology. Botanical Review 47:313-347. (Contribution No. 1097 in the Agricultural Experiment Station Series)