Paper Submission Email: editalgae@e-algae.kr

About the Journal

Algae, as the most diverse and productive biological taxonomic group on the planet, encompass a myriad of species with significant ecological and evolutionary importance. The journal Algae is dedicated to serving as a leading platform for advancing the field of algal ecology and evolution. With a focus on timely dissemination of the latest research results and fostering a virtuous cycle of knowledge exchange, Algae aims to make substantial contributions to the development of phycology as a whole.

Ecology and Evolutionary Disciplines: Algae aims to publish high-quality research papers that delve into the intricate aspects of algal ecology and evolutionary biology. We welcome studies exploring the interactions between algae and their environments, as well as investigations into the evolutionary mechanisms that shape algal diversity, adaptation, and speciation.

Biodiversity and Taxonomy: Understanding and cataloguing the vast biodiversity of algae are crucial goals of Algae. We encourage submissions that clarify the taxonomic classification of algae, identify new species, and contribute to our understanding of their phylogenetic relationships.

Physiology, Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology: Algae offers a research platform for the study of algal physiology, biochemistry, cell biology, and molecular biology. We welcome studies that elucidate the fundamental processes governing algal growth, reproduction, metabolic pathways, and responses to environmental stimuli.

Biotechnology and Applied Fields: Recognizing the practical significance of algal research, Algae welcomes contributions in the areas of biotechnology and applied fields related to algae. We encourage investigations into algal-based bioproducts, biofuels, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and other applications that hold potential for sustainable solutions.

Current Issue

Vol 38, No 3 (2023)
Published: 2023-12-05

Articles

  • Cryptic diversity and phylogeographic patterns of Plocamium telfairiae and P. cartilagineum (Plocamiales, Rhodophyta) in the Northwest Pacific

    Mi Yeon Yang, Myung Sook Kim
    https://doi.org/10.4490/algae.2023.38.8.4

    Abstract

    Cryptic diversity refers to two or more distinct species classified as a single species due to lack of morphological difference. Although Plocamium Lamouroux has potential applications in biotechnology, several phylogenetic studies suggest the presence of cryptic diversity within the genus that requires further phylogenetic evaluation. Here, we investigated two species of Plocamium, P. “cartilagineum” and P. “telfairiae”, in the Northwest (NW) Pacific. The aims of this study are to identify potential cryptic species by analyzing the genetic differences between the species from their type localities and specimens from the NW Pacific, to characterize their population genetic diversity and structure, and to find potential hotspots with high intraspecific genetic diversity in Korea. A reconstructed phylogenetic tree based on mitochondrial 5′ region of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI-5P) and plastid ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase / oxygenase large subunit (rbcL) with molecular delimitation methods revealed significant differences as distinct species in the genus Plocamium. Comparison with specimens from their type localities indicated the presence of two cryptic species in the NW Pacific, including Plocamium luculentum sp. nov. The phylogeographic study for both species showed low genetic differences among populations, demonstrating genetic connectivity within the NW Pacific. These findings could promote the discovery of other morphologically and ecologically similar but phylogenetically different Plocamium species worldwide, which is essential for conservation assessments.

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    Keywords:

    biogeography; cryptic diversity; phylogeny; Plocamium luculentum sp. nov.; Rhodophyta; taxonomy
    Pages: 159-172
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  • Fissipedicella orientalis gen. et sp. nov. (Ralfsiales, Phaeophyceae), a new crustose brown alga from Korea based on molecular and morphological analyses

    Antony Otinga Oteng’o, Boo Yeon Won, Tae Oh Cho
    https://doi.org/10.4490/algae.2023.38.9.9

    Abstract

    The crustose brown algal family Ralfsiaceae comprises four genera: Analipus, Endoplura, Heteroralfsia, and Ralfsia. This study provides a detailed description of Fissipedicella orientalis gen. et sp. nov. based on molecular and morphological analyses. Our phylogenetic analyses from rbcL and concatenated dataset (rbcL + 5′ region of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I [COI-5P]) reveal that specimens collected in Korea are nested in a distinct new clade within Ralfsiaceae with robust bootstrap support and Bayesian posterior probabilities. The sequence divergences for rbcL and COI-5P between F. orientalis and other genera within Ralfsiaceae are 7.4–10.1 and 17.5–21.2%, respectively. Fissipedicella orientalis is characterized by crustose thalli with a hypothallial basal layer and erect perithallial filaments, tufts of hairs in pits, a single chloroplast per cell, plurangia with 1–3 sterile cells, and unangia on stalks composed of 1–6 vertically or obliquely cleaved cells. We propose that F. orientalis can be recognized as a new genus-level taxon within Ralfsiaceae, even though a single species represents it. Our new genus, Fissipedicella, is distinguished from the other members within the Ralfsiaceae by the type of thallus, the number of chloroplasts and tufts of hairs in pits, and the development of unangia.

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    Keywords:

    COI-5P; Fissipedicella; phylogeny; Ralfsiaceae; rbcL, taxonomy
    Pages: 173-181
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  • Synchronous nuclear division and the role of the cytoskeleton in the multinucleate red alga Griffithsia monilis

    Chan Young Hong, Ji Ho Yun, Minseok Kwak, Jong Seok Moon, Gwang Hoon Kim
    https://doi.org/10.4490/algae.2023.38.9.6

    Abstract

    Most taxonomic groups of organisms harbor temporarily or permanently multinucleate cells in all or parts of their bodies. Each nucleus in the same cytoplasm responds almost identically to environmental cues, but little is known about the signals that mediate their coordinated division. In this study, we used Griffithsia monilis, a multinucleated giant cell, to investigate how its nuclear division occurs and the role of cytoskeleton in this process. Our results show that nuclear division is exquisitely coordinated and synchronized, but that nuclear division and chloroplast division are not coupled to each other. Microtubules are known to play an important role in synchronized nuclear division in some large multinucleate green algae, and microtubule arrangement is involved in shaping the cytoplasmic domains of each nucleus. However, we found no evidence for the involvement of the cytoskeleton in the synchronized nuclear division or regular nuclear arrangement in G. monilis. Although the nuclei were arranged at very regular intervals, these intervals became irregular during nuclear division, and there was no regular arrangement of actin or microtubules to maintain the spacing between the nuclei. Neither cortical microtubules nor spindle microtubules were physically connected to other neighboring nuclei during nuclear division, suggesting that microtubules are not involved in the coordination of nuclear division in G. monilis.

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    Keywords:

    actin; cytoskeleton; Griffithsia monilis; microtubule; synchronous nuclear division
    Pages: 183-190
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  • Isolation and cultivation of freshwater diatom Nitzschia palea HY1 for increasing biomass and fucoxanthin production

    Hyunji Won, Eunmi Ro, Seungbeom Seo, Baik-Ho Kim, EonSeon Jin
    https://doi.org/10.4490/algae.2023.38.9.3

    Abstract

    Diatoms, a type of microalgae distributed worldwide, have been identified as potential sources of biomass, lipids, and high-value compounds. While marine diatoms have been extensively studied, the potential of freshwater diatoms still needs to be explored. In this study, a novel strain of freshwater diatom was isolated from the Jungnangcheon stream located in Seoul, Republic of Korea (37°33′08.0″ N, 127°02′40.0″ E). This newly isolated strain was classified through phylogenetic analysis, and its morphology was investigated using light and electron microscopy; it was named Nitzschia palea HY1. N. palea HY1 grown in freshwater media (FDM) produced higher biomass (0.68 g L−1) and fucoxanthin production (9.19 mg L−1) than in conventional diatom media. Furthermore, increasing the bicarbonate concentration from 2 to 10 mM enhanced the maximum biomass and fucoxanthin production in FDM by 2.7 fold and 1.5 fold, respectively. Remarkably, the introduction of aeration to the modified FDM (MFDM) led to a substantial increase in the maximum biomass and fucoxanthin production of N. palea HY1, exhibiting 3.8-fold and 4.1-fold enhancement, respectively, compared to FDM alone. These findings suggest that optimizing the cultivation of N. palea HY1 using MFDM could provide an alternative to marine sources for fucoxanthin production.

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    Keywords:

    biomass; freshwater diatom; fucoxanthin; Nitzschia palea HY1
    Pages: 191-202
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