Morphology and molecular phylogeny of <i>Coolia tropicalis, Coolia malayensis</i> and a new lineage of the <i>Coolia canariensis</i> species complex (Dinophyceae) isolated from Brazil

The morphology and molecular phylogenetic relationships of <i>Coolia</i> species isolated from Brazil, including <i>C. malayensis, C. tropicalis</i> and a new lineage of the <i>Coolia canariensis</i> complex, are presented. Morphology was investigated by light and scanning electron microscopy. No significant morphological differences between the Brazilian strains and other geographically distant strains of <i>C. malayensis</i> and <i>C. tropicalis</i> were observed. In LSU and ITS rDNA phylogenies <i>C. malayensis</i> and <i>C. tropicalis</i> sequences from Brazil branched within the clade of these species with strains isolated from elsewhere. Phylogenetic relationships (LSU rDNA) within the <i>C. canariensis</i> species complex support the existence of three cryptic species. No morphological difference was discernible among species in this complex. Additional molecular, morphological and toxin data from globally distributed isolates should be acquired to strengthen our knowledge of the <i>C. canariensis</i> species complex.