Makinoella tosaensis Okada, A New Recorded Genus and Species of Freshwater Trebouxiophycean Algae from China

Abstract:

Two strains of green algae with No. FACHB-1783 and FACHB-1784 were isolated from small ponds in Wuhan, Hubei Province and Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province, respectively. Their morphology and 18S rDNA sequences were studied. The typical coenobia of two strains are tetragonally arranged in flat, usually 4-16-celled. Cells are broad ellipsoid to irregularly oval, without polar thickenings. Numerous chloroplasts are discoid, each with a pyrenoid. Based on morphological and molecular phylogenetic evidences, the two strains were identified as Makinoella tosaensis Okada, which was considered as a new recorded genus and species of freshwater trebouxiophycean algae from China. The 18S rDNA sequence of the strains showed high similarity (99.6%-99.9%) with those of M. tosaensis Okada from Korea. The phylogenetic analyses based on 18S rDNA sequence showed that all strains of M. tosaensis Okada clustered into a clade with high support values.