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。红藻是海洋中占主导地位的光合生物之一。 其中许多是叶状海藻，但也有大量海藻生长在海底的甲壳状路面上。 本项目将研究分子基因序列和形态结构，重新评估这些甲壳状红藻的分类和进化。 利用新的以及现有的藻类收集，将产生一个基于藻类的系统处理。这项研究将提供正确的名称，种和属的描述，并破译这些红藻在世界各地的系统发育关系。这一科在全世界深水海洋环境中具有重要的生态意义，其中一些物种参与深海常见的红藻结核的形成。该项目将为今后在海藻生物多样性方面的研究和教育培训提供必要的资源，这些海藻具有类似甲壳的习性。这项研究的结果应被证明是有用的基础上解释形态进化和系统发育框架内的红藻在其他群体的关系。将在多个层面开展培训和外联活动，包括制作数据库和网站，并在YouTube上发布视频剪辑，以接触可能不熟悉基础科研、生物多样性、海藻或一般进化方法概念的广大受众。这些视频片段将很容易在路易斯安那州及其他地区的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.