Study of seaweed biodiversity in Venice Lagoon using DNA barcoding

At present, only a few studies of molecular systematics concern the macrophytes of the Venice Lagoon. Those regard specific taxa, while a check-list based on molecular methods is still missing. A census of the seaweeds present on the hard substrata of the historical centre of Venice and its islands is in progress as part of a more extensive study of the marine flora of the Italian coastal lagoons, since 2010. The obtained results will provide information on the changes that have occurred over time. In particular a revision of new alien species and cryptic taxa, such as Bangiales and Ceramiales which colonize the Venice Lagoon will be performed.