Assessment of the macroalgal flora of Tunisia using a DNA barcoding approach

The main goal of the present study is the identification of macroalgal species along Tunisian coasts using a DNA barcoding approach. COI-5P has been applied as the primary barcode marker for brown and red algae, tufA as the primary barcode marker for chlorophytan green algae, rbcL and/or LSU D2-D3 as secondary barcode markers when needed. The results obtained emphasized the importance of molecular and integrative approaches in species identification and delineation especially in the context of biodiversity change. The present one is the first study on Tunisian macroalgal flora using DNA barcoding methods.