Morpho-anatomical investigations and molecular phylogeny of a new non-geniculate coralline algal taxon (Corallinales, Rhodophyta) from Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea, Antarctica). A new non-geniculate coralline algal taxon from Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea, Antarctica)

Within a project aiming to study the biodiversity of main marine habitats in Terra Nova Bay (TNB) area, in austral summer 2018-2019 during the XXXIV Italian Expedition in Antarctica, a non-geniculate coralline red alga was collected from different sampling sites in Tethys Bay, near the Italian Station at Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea, Antarctica). To identify the coralline alga, a polyphasic approach, including morphological, anatomical and molecular analyses, was carried out. Morpho-anatomical characters were obtained through observations at stereoscope and scanning electron microscope, in addition to histological analyses. For the phylogenetic analyses, the psbA, rbcL and 18S rRNA genes were used as molecular markers.