Introduction

The Rhodophyta (red algae) are the largest and most diverse group of marine algae world-wide. They are the predominant species in tropical waters with many endemics in the Pacific, Caribbean and Indian oceans as well as being widespread in temperate latitudes.   Commercially, the production of agar, agarose, carrageenan and nori from red algae generates into the 100's of millions of dollars each year.  Discovery of a more efficient RuBisCO in red algae (Science 283:314-316. 1999) has initiated what may be the most ambitious genetic-engineering project ever attempted.  Laboratories around the world are attempting to replace existing low efficiency RuBisCO with the supercharged red algal form.  Correct identifications of named species, correct descriptions of species not yet named and accurate assessments of the phylogenetic relationships among species are critically important for the future development of algal research.

Despite the size and importance of the Rhodophyta, they remain understudied and incompletely characterized, particularly in the tropics where the diversity is great.   We propose an integrated, multi-dimensional program of study and training that focuses on the Nemaliales, a group with taxa with wide variation in life cycle characteristics, habitats and depth ranges, and which also has phylogenetic and biogeographical significance of interest to zoological and botanical systematists.

Taxonomic Focus and Conceptual Issues - The Nemaliales as a model system.

The Nemaliales is one on of the oldest (500 MY) and most "primitive" order in the Florideophycidae, the larger of the two subclasses of the Rhodophyta.  In the past, the main criterion for separating orders within the Rhodophyta (Kylin, 1956) was that of the immediate post-fertilization events.  In the Nemaliales, these events are rather simple by comparison with other orders, and amenable to experimental study.   The Nemaliales may now be characterized as consisting of a colorless multiaxial medulla with usually branched, radiating, photosynthetic, cortical filaments upon which reproductive structures are borne.  Either calcium carbonate or mucosoid materials (or both) bind the filaments together.  The development of the female reproductive structures proceeds in a number of ways after presumed fertilization, resulting in the formation of diploid carposporangia or putative haploid carpotetrasporangia.

The combination of revisionary studies, monographic treatments, keys and biogeographic and phylogenentic studies produced in this graduate training framework will make the Nemaliales a model system for studies of wide-spread, speciose tropical marine groups.

Students will receive indepth training on the recognition and application of morphological and molecular characters to their respective groups. They will also actively participate in systematic seasonal and geographical field collections and compare these with historical records. Three monographic or revisionary treatments will be prepared with types, synonymies, species descriptions, keys and illustrations to be published in a peer-reviewed publication.  Using this data as well as broader geographical information the post-doctoral will develop a synthesis of the relationships and distribution of the Nemaliales in the Pacific. Models of marine distribution will be proposed.  During the training program students will be expected to prepare a short paper on taxonomic aspects of a species or small number of Hawaiian species for publication, early in the project to gain necessary experience for successful completion of their monographic work. This will also further clarify needed literature, data, illustrations and other material for their larger dissertation and taxonomic publications.   Students and the post-doctoral will also be expected to present results of their work at local forums and national meetings during the project.

The three graduate students will be recruited via national advertisement, contact with international colleagues and web-based postings. The postdoctoral fellow will also be recruited via a national search with the expectation that the successful candidate will bring expertise in algae and a higher taxonomic order systematics.

Added value of international workshops:  Abbott’s biennial workshops with 20+ algal specialists from across the Tropical Pacific have extended our understanding of species boundaries for Hawaiian taxa, and their evolutionary connection to other areas.   For example, one interesting outcome of these workshops was the realization that the Sargassum species of Hawai’i, previously considered cosmopolitan, are restricted to and endemic to Hawai’i. Molecular studies of Sargassum, including the wider biogeographical and phylogenetic perspectives of temperate and tropical congeners are complete (Phillips 1998; Phillips, Morden & Smith, submitted).   These studies required the collaboration and support of the colleagues involved in Abbott’s workshops, and the recent incorporation of molecular approaches of Drs. Morden and Keeley. No where else is this kind of synergistic interaction at all levels from the field collection to the herbarium to the molecule underway. It sets the stage for outstanding training opportunities under this graduate program with national and international scope.

Such opportunities will add directly to student taxonomic training, but will also have important biogeographical information which can better contribute to an understanding of algal evolution across large regions. While examples of unidentified conspecifics are well known in the tropics, it is also the case that unique species are not always recognized but are lumped with other more widespread ones.  A thorough review of species from broad tropical regions, their literature, types, and possible relatives by students will clarify these kinds of relationships.

1. Literature, herbarium and preserved specimens available in the collections of Dr. Abbott, BISH and through recent dives by Dr. Smith.

2. Focus genera identified, distributions documented, problem areas established.

3. Detailed submarine maps obtainable via USGS seabeam data available and sites located for preliminary collections. Access to State of Hawaii GIS system in place.

4. Dr. Smith and P. Vroom dive certified to 60ft. Dive plan filed, permission obtained to use SCUBA in collecting.

5. Collaboration established for materials and specimens across the Pacific with collaborators in Abbott’s workshops and through BISH, with UH Hilo, University of Melbourne and others. Loans obtained from US, MICH, NY, UC, LD, PAR, L, SAP, BM.

6. Molecular methods tested for DNA extraction, gene walking, primer design, sequencing, RAPD’s and microsatellite work in Sargassum (Phillips, Smith & Morden in review) and for siphonous greens; Halimeda, Codium, Bryopsis, Caulerpa, Avrainvillea (Vroom Keeley & Smith 1998). These efforts will be applied to Liagora and related genera.

7. The Marine Algae of Hawaii Web Page is established as a parallel gateway to the Reef Algae entry to coursework, dichotomous keys, and related materials (http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/reefalgae). Under construction are siphonous green algal data base and maps of collecting sites for coastal regions near campus. Reefalgae web master P. Vroom will participate in the program.

8. Curriculum in place for training in traditional systematics, phycology, molecular theory and hands-on training, plus a faculty that includes 6 trained in taxonomy and nomenclature (Abbott, Carr, Keeley, Lamoureux, Morden, Wong).