A DNA barcoding inventory of species of Bangiaceae (Rhodophyta) from the Italian coasts

Species of Bangiaceae Duby (Rhodophyta Wettstein) are red algae, mostly marine, with simple morphology, high phenotypic plasticity and high genotypic divergence. Traditionally, they were divided into two genera based on gametophyte morphology: Bangia Lyngbye with filamentous thalli and Porphyra Agardh with leafy thalli. Currently, 183 species in 22 genera are recognized, including the most valuable aquaculture algae in the world used for the production of nori. The aim of the present work is the evaluation of species diversity of Bangiaceae along the Italian coasts, using the DNA barcoding method. Our results highlight the presence of six species, including unreported allochthonous. The real picture of the taxonomy of Bangiaceae in the Mediterranean is far from being clarified and the data presented here aim to be only one step forward its clarification. The actual taxonomic diversity can only be understood with a cooperative effort and applying standardized methodologies, such as DNA barcoding.