Cryptic diversity, alternating life histories, ecological plasticity, and evolutionary lability of the few morphological characters available for identification of expanded red blades in the Family Kallymeniaceae have steered multiple studies to focus on a molecular-assisted alpha taxonomy (MAAT) approach to resolving their systematics and taxonomy. Among previous Hawaiian work is the 2010 Rhodophyta Biodiversity Survey of the Hawaiian Islands, which included several specimens of these expanded red blades, and an in-progress assessment of Hawaiian mesophotic algal communities. As part of the current effort to resolve the taxonomic placement of these expanded red blades, we conducted a molecular survey using multiple gene regions followed by floristic taxonomic treatments to address the taxonomic crisis so prevalent in the group. At least 300 specimens of expanded red blades were collected from both shallow and mesophotic depths to contribute to the establishment of a more comprehensive biodiversity catalog of Hawaiian marine algae. These specimens also provided an opportunity to examine a largely unexplored community at depths as great as 162 m. In Chapter 2, I examined stipitate red blades in Hawai‘i that we identified as Psaromenia and Meredithia, as models for investigating species delimitation in morphologically and molecularly diverse species. Our study resulted in the description of two new and presumed endemic Hawaiian species. In the subsequent supplementary chapter, I present the in-progress molecular survey that points to new species, new records and a number of range extensions for the expanded red blades of the Hawaiian Islands that still remain to be investigated in detail. The astounding species-level diversity unraveled and resolved in this study is prerequisite to investigating larger scale macroevolutionary patterns and highlights the importance of generating an accurate baseline dataset for future monitoring efforts.

Depth range
0- 94 m

Mesophotic “mentions”
83 x (total of 14277 words)

Classification
* Presents original data
* Reports new species
* Focused on 'mesophotic' depth range
* Focused on 'mesophotic coral ecosystem'

Fields
Taxonomy
Biodiversity
Ecology
Evolution
Molecular ecology

Focusgroups
Algae (Macro, Turf and Crustose Coralline)

Locations
USA - Hawaii

Platforms
Rebreather