Resolving the Taxonomy and Phylogenetics of Benthic Diatoms from Single Cell Sequencing

Abstract

Benthic diatoms are often used as indicators of water quality and past environmental conditions. This depends entirely on a reliable taxonomic system. With the advent of DNA techniques, genetic analyses can now be used in tandem with traditional microscopy in order to improve taxonomy and determine evolutionary relationships. This thesis examined a speciose genus of diatoms Neidium (> 300 species) and, using sequence data from molecular markers as well as traditional morphological analyses, investigated phylogenetic relationships. Fresh benthic samples from aquatic ecosystems in Eastern North America were collected; Neidium taxa were examined using light and scanning electron microscopy then compared to the original specimen types. A total of 124 individual cells were retrieved, amplified, and sequenced for four molecular markers (rbcL, 18S, psbA, and psbC). Phylogenetic reconstructions were completed using Maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses; when compared with morphological analyses this led to the delineation of several novel Neidium species.