Systematics of the Peyssonneliaceae (Peyssonneliales), a family of crustose marine red algae

该奖项是根据2009年美国复苏和再投资法案（公法111-5）资助的。红藻是海洋中主要的光合生物之一。其中许多是叶状海藻，但也有大量生长在海底，就像地壳一样。本项目将研究这些类壳红藻的分子基因序列和形态结构，以重新评估它们的分类和进化。利用新的和现有的藻类集合，将产生一种基于样本的系统处理方法。该研究将提供这些红藻的正确名称、种属描述，并破译它们在世界范围内的系统发育关系。该科在世界范围内的深海海洋环境中具有重要的生态意义，其中一些物种参与了红藻结核的建立，在深海中很常见。该项目将为未来研究和教育培训海藻的生物多样性提供必要的资源，这些海藻具有类似地壳的习性。本研究结果可作为解释其他红藻类群的形态进化和系统关系的基础。将在许多级别上进行培训和外联活动，包括制作数据库和网站，并在YouTube上登载录象片段，以便向可能不熟悉基础科学研究、生物多样性、海洋藻类或一般进化方法概念的广泛受众宣传。这些视频片段将很容易在路易斯安那州和其他地区的K-12教室中获得。

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5).Red algae are among the dominant photosynthetic organisms in the sea. Many are leafy seaweeds, but a large number grow as crust-like pavements on the ocean floor. This project will examine molecular gene sequences and morphological structures in a re-evaluation of the classification and evolution of these crust-like red algae. Using new as well as existing collections of algae, a specimen-based systematic treatment will be produced. The study will provide correct names, species and genus descriptions, and decipher phylogenetic relationships of these red algae worldwide. This family is of great ecological significance in the deep-water marine environments worldwide, with some species involved in the establishment of red algal nodules common in the deep sea. This project will provide resources essential to future research and educational training in the biodiversity of seaweeds that share a crust-like habit. The results of this study should prove useful as a basis for interpreting morphological evolution and systematic relationships within a phylogenetic framework in other groups of red algae. Training and outreach will be conducted at many levels, including the production of databases and websites, and the posting of video clips on YouTube in order to reach a wide audience that may not be familiar with the concepts of basic scientific research, biodiversity, marine algae, or evolutionary approaches in general. These video clips will be easily accessible in K-12 classrooms in Louisiana and beyond.