Tracing genetic variation of Gelidium canariense (Rhodophyta) based on new and historical collections

Genetic sequencing of herbarium specimens provides invaluable information on species genetic history. However, several factors hinder the extraction of high-quality DNA from long-term preserved specimens. Our goal was to study the genetic variability of the endemic and habitat-forming macroalga Gelidium canariense over the last 40 years using the mitochondrial intergenic marker cox2-3 spacer. We also studied the genetic diversity at the mesoscale (<100 km), i.e. between two localities on the north coast of Tenerife and at the macroscale (>100 km) using specimens collected on the island of La Palma. We found the presence of the same haplotype at the same location for the last 40 years. This haplotype also coincided within populations of Puerto de la Cruz and Garachico (Tenerife Island) and between populations of different islands (Tenerife and La Palma). This study provides a baseline (i.e. extraction method, PCR protocol for cox2-3 spacer molecular marker, level of DNA degradation of herbarium samples) of the genetic characterization of G. canariense that can be used in future molecular studies to better understand the distribution of genetic diversity in this vulnerable species.