Philippine E-Journals

Morphology and Genetic Analysis of Some Varieties of Green Algae Caulerpa racemosa from Central Visayas, Philippines

Alfred G.O Kase

 

Abstract:

Species boundaries can be difficult to define due to the morphological plasticity of the Caulerpa species in adaptation to various environmental factors. Tis study aims to compare the morphology and analyze the genetic profile of some varieties of Caulerpa racemosa. The samples were taken from Mactan, Siquijor and Bohol Islands in Central Visayas Philippines. Morphological analysis of intra specific organs was done using the Image-J analysis program Version 1.44d by Wayne Rasband (National Institutes of Health, USA), and the results showed that most of the morphological characteristics were significantly different. The genetic analyses were done in the Marine Laboratory (IEMS) of Silliman University, Philippines) The genetic comparison using Rbcl primers showed that the Caulerpa racemosa species taken from different locations clade together, which means that these Caulerpa species are closely related and might belong to the same species.