title: Taxonomic revision and species delimitation of coccoid green algae currently assigned to the genus Dictyochloropsis (Trebouxiophyceae, Chlorophyta).
abstract: Coccoid green algae traditionally classified in Dictyochloropsis have a complex, reticulate chloroplast, when mature, without a pyrenoid. They occupy remarkably diverse ecological niches as free-living organisms or in association with lichen-forming fungi and were recently shown to form two distinct lineages within Trebouxiophyceae. We used a polyphasic approach to revise the taxonomy of the genus. Based on phylogenetic analysis of the 18S rRNA gene, and detailed morphological investigation using comparative conventional light and confocal microscopy, we have assigned these lineages to two genera, Dictyochloropsis and Symbiochloris gen. nov. We have reconsidered the diagnostic generic features as follows: Dictyochloropsis comprises only free-living algae with a reticulate chloroplast, forming lobes in a parallel arrangement at some ontogenetic stages, and which reproduce only by means of autospores. This agrees with Geitler's original diagnosis of Dictyochloropsis, but not with the later emendation by Tschermak-Woess. Consequently, the species of Dictyochloropsis sensu Tschermak-Woess are assigned to Symbiochloris, with new combinations proposed. Symbiochloris encompasses free-living and/or lichenized algae with lobed chloroplasts and that reproduce by forming zoospores characterized by two subapical isokont flagella that emerge symmetrically near the flattened apex. In addition, using coalescent-based approaches, morphological characters and secondary structure of ITS transcripts, we inferred species boundaries and taxonomic relationships within the newly proposed genera. Two species of Dictyochloropsis and nine species of Symbiochloris are delimited, including the newly described species D. asterochloroides, S. handae, S. tropica, and S. tschermakiae. Our results further support the non-monophyly of autosporine taxa within Trebouxiophyceae.
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Benátská 2, CZ-12801, Praha 2, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Pavel
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Škaloud
authors.affiliation: Experimental Phycology and Culture Collection of Algae, Georg-August University Göttingen, Untere Karspüle 2, D-37073, Göttingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Friedl
authors.affiliation: Experimental Phycology and Culture Collection of Algae, Georg-August University Göttingen, Untere Karspüle 2, D-37073, Göttingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hallmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Lichenology and Bryology, Botanische Staatssammlung München, D-80638, München, Germany.|GeoBio-Center, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München, Richard-Wagner-Str. 10, D-80333, München, Germany.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Beck
authors.affiliation: Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiK-F), Senckenberganlage 25, D-60325, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dal Grande
mesh_terms: D020418:Algal Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D000460:Chlorophyta / Q000145:classification* / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics; D048028:DNA, Algal / Q000235:genetics; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / Q000235:genetics; D016415:Sequence Alignment
chemical_list: D020418:Algal Proteins; D048028:DNA, Algal; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S
keywords: chloroplast; cryptic species; morphology; phylogeny; species boundaries