Peiming Xu , Xianming Li

Aquatic Biology Research Center, Cuixi Academy of Biotechnology, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China
Author    Correspondence author
International Journal of Molecular Evolution and Biodiversity, 2024, Vol. 14, No. 4   doi: 10.5376/ijmeb.2024.14.0020
Received: 27 Jun., 2024    Accepted: 06 Aug., 2024    Published: 15 Aug., 2024

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Xu P.M., and Li X.M., 2024, Integrative taxonomy in algae: combining morphological, molecular, and ecological data for species delimitation, International Journal of Molecular Evolution and Biodiversity, 14(4): 186-196 (doi: 10.5376/ijmeb.2024.14.0020)

Integrative taxonomy has emerged as a robust framework for species delimitation by combining morphological, molecular, and ecological data. This study focuses on the application of integrative taxonomy to algae, aiming to enhance species delimitation accuracy. Traditional morphological methods often face challenges due to high levels of morphological plasticity and convergence in algae. By incorporating molecular data, such as DNA barcoding, and ecological information, we can achieve a more comprehensive understanding of species boundaries. This approach not only aids in the accurate identification of species but also helps in uncovering cryptic diversity and understanding evolutionary relationships. Our findings demonstrate that integrative taxonomy, through the use of multiple data sources, provides a more reliable and nuanced method for species delimitation in algae, thereby contributing significantly to biodiversity studies and conservation efforts.

Integrative Taxonomy; Algae; Species Delimitation; Morphological Data; Molecular Data