Evolution of sexual reproduction and phylogeny of the ancient and enigmatic red algae

红藻（Rhodophyta）是一个古老的谱系，在化石记录中报道的一些成员可以追溯到12亿年前。这一组具有相当大的经济重要性，因为它们含有化合物（琼脂、卡拉胶等），这些化合物被广泛用作酸奶、冰淇淋和牙膏等产品的增稠剂。如紫菜属（又名紫菜属）。紫菜，紫菜面包)和Palmaria（又名紫菜）。豆类是重要的食物来源，也是全球数十亿美元的水产养殖业。此外，红藻是地球上光合生物通过叶绿体次生内共生进化的重要类群。这仅仅意味着目前具有光合作用能力的几个谱系是通过吞噬和保持其他光合生物在体内而获得这种能力的。例如，红藻是异养藻（如大西洋和太平洋沿岸常见的大型海带）中叶绿体的共同祖先。这是光合生物进化过程中的一个关键事件。尽管这一群体的重要性显而易见，但人们对所谓的“Bangiophyte”物种知之甚少。更令人着迷的是，尽管Bangiomorpha化石是化石记录中有性生殖的第一个例子（1.2 BYA），但其中许多群体似乎没有有性生殖，或者完全失去了有性生殖的能力。这个建议的重点是检查这些独特的生物，并使用分子技术来辨别它们是否有性

The red algae (Rhodophyta) are an ancient lineage with some members being reported in the fossil record as far back as 1.2 billion years. This group is of considerable economic importance since they contain compounds (agar, carrageenan, etc.) that are used extensively as thickeners in products such as yogurt, ice cream and toothpaste. Genera such as Porphyra (aka. Nori, laverbread) and Palmaria (aka. Dulse) are important food sources and are global billion dollar aquaculture industries. In addition, the red algae are a critical group in the evolution of photosynthetic life on earth through secondary endosymbiosis of chloroplasts. This simply means that several lineages currently capable of photosynthesis have gained that ability by engulfing and keeping other photosynthetic organisms inside them. For example, red algae are the common ancestors to the chloroplasts contained in the division, Heterokontophyta (e.g. large kelps common to Atlantic and Pacific coasts). This was a pivotal event in the evolution of photosynthetic life. Despite the obvious importance of this group, very little is known about what are considered "Bangiophyte" species. Even more fascinating is that even though the fossil, Bangiomorpha, exhibits the first example of sexual reproduction in the fossil record (1.2 BYA), many of these groups do not appear to undergo sexual reproduction or have lost the ability entirely. This proposal focuses on examining these unique organisms and uses molecular techniques to discern if sexual reproduction is or is not occurring within populations. In addition, determination of what a species is (still a challenging concept in many respects) in this unique group. This research will provide a foundation for current genome sequencing projects. In fact, despite considerable advancements in molecular and genomic biology, additional research on these interesting groups in terms of evolution, ecology and biology can only enhance the interpretation of future genomes.