First freshwater member ever reported for the family Bathycoccaceae (Chlorophyta; Archaeplastida) from Argentinean Patagonia revealed by environmental DNA survey

We characterized molecularly the first freshwater member ever reported for the family Bathycoccaceae in Lake Musters (Argentinean Patagonia). Members of this family are extremely numerous and play a key ecological role in marine systems as primary producers. We cloned a fragment comprising the SSU rRNA gene + ITS region from environmental DNA using specific mamiellophyte primers. The unique SSU rRNA gene sequence obtained clustered robustly with Bathycoccus prasinos. Analysis of the two-dimensional structure of the ITS region showed the presence of a typical supplementary helix in the ITS-2 region, a synapomorphy of Bathycoccaceae, which confirmed further its phylogenetic placement. We finally discuss the possible causes for the presence of this organism in Lake Musters.Fil: Lara, Enrique. Universite de Neuchatel. Faculte de Sciences; Suiza. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas. Real Jardín Botánico; EspañaFil: Fernández, Leonardo D.. Universidad Bernardo O’Higgin; ChileFil: Schiaffino, María Romina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Izaguirre, Irina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires; Argentin