Diversity of microalgae from extreme habitats: linking phylogeny and ecology

The diversity of microalgae from extreme habitats is far from being fully explored and understood. This is due, in part, to limited sampling efforts along with complex algal taxonomy and systematics. In particular, little investigated extremely acidic (pH < 3.0) and polar habitats might veil novel, undescribed species. This doctoral thesis aimed to study algal strains isolated from acidic or acidic and hot, and cold environments using a polyphasic approach. It focused on coccoid (Coccomyxa and Watanabea), monadoid (Chloromonas and its relatives) and saccoderm (Cylindrocystis) green microalgae from the classes Trebouxiophyceae, Chlorophyceae, and Zygnematophyceae, respectively. In addition, coccoid red algae (Galdieria) from the class Cyanidiophyceae were covered. The main research methods included light and transmission electron microscopy combined with Sanger sequencing. Nuclear 18S rDNA and plastid rbcL sequences were used for construction of phylogenetic trees for taxonomic position evaluation. Comparisons of secondary structure models of the highly variable ITS2 rDNA molecular marker served for a more detailed genetic relationship estimation among close relatives. Results have shown that Coccomyxa and Watanabea are present in extremely acidic lakes and that acidity and increased availability of..