International Journal of Molecular Evolution and Biodiversity 2024, Vol.14, No.4, 186-196 http://ecoevopublisher.com/index.php/ijmeb 186 Feature Review Open Access Integrative Taxonomy in Algae: Combining Morphological, Molecular, and Ecological Data for Species Delimitation Peiming Xu, Xianming Li Aquatic Biology Research Center, Cuixi Academy of Biotechnology, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding author: lixianming@cuixi.org International Journal of Molecular Evolution and Biodiversity, 2024, Vol.14, No.4 doi: 10.5376/ijmeb.2024.14.0020 Received: 27 Jun., 2024 Accepted: 06 Aug., 2024 Published: 15 Aug., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Xu and Li, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Xu P.M., and Li X.M., 2024, Integrative taxonomy in algae: combining morphological, molecular, and ecological data for species delimitation, International Journal of Molecular Evolution and Biodiversity, 14(4): 186-196 (doi: 10.5376/ijmeb.2024.14.0020) Abstract Integrative taxonomy has emerged as a robust framework for species delimitation by combining morphological, molecular, and ecological data. This study focuses on the application of integrative taxonomy to algae, aiming to enhance species delimitation accuracy. Traditional morphological methods often face challenges due to high levels of morphological plasticity and convergence in algae. By incorporating molecular data, such as DNA barcoding, and ecological information, we can achieve a more comprehensive understanding of species boundaries. This approach not only aids in the accurate identification of species but also helps in uncovering cryptic diversity and understanding evolutionary relationships. Our findings demonstrate that integrative taxonomy, through the use of multiple data sources, provides a more reliable and nuanced method for species delimitation in algae, thereby contributing significantly to biodiversity studies and conservation efforts. Keywords Integrative Taxonomy; Algae; Species Delimitation; Morphological Data; Molecular Data 1 Introduction Algal taxonomy has evolved significantly over the past two and a half centuries, driven by technological advancements such as improved microscopy, culture techniques, and digital access to collections (Leliaert, 2021). Traditionally, species delimitation in algae relied heavily on morphological characteristics. However, the high levels of morphological plasticity and convergence in algae often complicate species identification using morphology alone (Darienko et al., 2015). The advent of molecular techniques, particularly DNA sequencing, has revolutionized algal taxonomy by providing more accurate and objective methods for species delimitation. Molecular data have uncovered numerous cryptic species and reshaped our understanding of algal diversity and distribution (Leliaert, 2021). Integrative taxonomy, which combines morphological, molecular, ecological, and other data, has emerged as a robust approach for species delimitation. This approach addresses the limitations of using a single type of data, such as the potential misidentifications due to phenotypic plasticity in morphological methods or the issues of introgression and incomplete lineage sorting in molecular methods. By integrating multiple lines of evidence, integrative taxonomy provides a more comprehensive and accurate framework for identifying species (Heethoff et al., 2011; Boisselier-Dubayle et al., 2012). This is particularly important in groups with high morphological plasticity or cryptic diversity, where traditional methods may fail to delineate species boundaries accurately (Darienko et al., 2015; Jesus et al., 2019; Leliaert, 2021). This study is to explore the application of integrative taxonomy in the study of algae, focusing on how the combination of morphological, molecular, and ecological data can enhance species delimitation. This review aims to highlight the challenges and limitations of traditional algal taxonomy. Discuss the advancements and benefits of integrative taxonomy in algae. Provide case studies demonstrating the successful application of integrative taxonomy in algal research. Offer insights into future directions and potential improvements in the field of algal taxonomy. By synthesizing findings from multiple studies, this review seeks to underscore the importance of a holistic approach to taxonomy and its implications for biodiversity research and conservation.
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