Levels and distribution patterns of mitochondrial cox3 gene variation in brown seaweed, Sargassum polycystum C. Agardh (Fucales, Phaeophyceae) from Southeast Asia

Abstract

Sargassum polycystum C. Agardh is one of the most abundant marine brown algae and is distributed widely in warm and temperate waters, particularly in the Indo-west Pacific region and Australia. Although its commercial potential and ecological and evolutionary importance are recognized, many pivotal aspects of its biology remain unexplored. Current knowledge of the historical biogeographical affinities and patterns is limited, but some data are available about its genetics, the genetic variation among populations, and spatial patterns. This study aimed to analyze the genetic population structure and distribution patterns of S. polycystum populations in 13 different locations from Indonesia to Japan using the mitochondrial gene cox3. The seven haplotypes of cox3 identified in this study indicated a low level of genetic diversity. Homogeneity of this haplotype was observed particularly in the Gulf of Thailand, Cambodia, and Japan, whereas highe haplotype diversity was found in Phuket (Thailand), Bali (Indonesia), and Singapore. Those data suggest that S. polycystum is likely to have expanded from the south of Indonesia and the west of the Malay Peninsula towards the northeast of the region. Geological studies showed that Sundaland, now corresponding to the Gulf of Thailand, was submerged due to sea level rises after the last glacial period. Therefore, the decrease in the genetic diversity of S. polycystum populations is interpreted here as a population expansion after the rise in sea levels.