A morphological character-based taxonomic review of the genus Sargassum C. Agardh (phaeophyta) in Sri Lanka
Date
2024-11-01
Authors
Palihawadana, D. K.
Kariyawasam, I. U.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Postgraduate Institute of Science (PGIS), University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
Abstract
Sargassum C. Agardh (1820) is the most species-rich genus within the family Sargassaceae. It is abundantly distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. In Sri Lanka, Sargassum is recognized as the most economically important seaweed genus. However, the current taxonomic status of the genus Sargassum in Sri Lanka remains uncertain, as no valid taxonomic literature has been published with species-level identification since 1961. Therefore, this study aimed to address the six-decade gap in Sargassum taxonomy by analysing the morphological characters of Sargassum specimens collected from various coastal localities around Sri Lanka. The coastal regions of Sri Lanka; Southern, Northern, Western, and Eastern were explored for sample collection, resulting in the collection of nine specimens of Sargassum. For each collected specimen, 30 morphological characters were recorded, and photographs of the thallus morphology were taken. Voucher herbarium specimens were prepared for each collected specimen. Of the nine collected specimens, seven were identified as distinct species based on their unique morphological characters. Those seven species include Sargassum aquifolium (Turner) C. Agardh, S. cymosum C. Agardh, S. vulgare C. Agardh, S. siliquosum J. Agardh, S. oligocystum Montagne, S. carpophyllum J. Agardh and S. natans (Linnaeus) Gaillon. The other two specimens could not be differentiated due to their similar morphology. These results were confirmed by the Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) based on the recorded morphological characters of the collected specimens. For the accurate identification of those two specimens, molecular characterization is needed. This study serves as a preliminary guide for understanding the morphological diversity of the Sargassum species in Sri Lanka, which will be important in future taxonomic research and for using Sargassum species in various economic aspects. However, further research is needed for more accurate identification and a comprehensive review of the genus Sargassum in Sri Lanka.
Description
Keywords
Morphology , Sargassum , Sri Lanka , Taxonomy
Citation
Proceedings of the Postgraduate Institute of Science Research Congress (RESCON) -2024, University of Peradeniya, P 125