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Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) Region Targeted Molecular Characterization of Macroalgal Diversity Along the Overlooked Expanse of Gulf of Kachchh, India

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Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The purpose of the current study is to report and provide the first record of the macroalgal diversity observed along the underrated northern coast of the Gulf of Kachchh (GoK), India, backed by its molecular study. The biodiversity data existing for the northern belt of the GoK, encompassing the Kachchh coast, is quite flimsy in contrast to the substantial amount of seaweed diversity data obtainable for its southern counterpart. Four Chlorophytes were collected from the selected sites and subjected to molecular characterization using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, (ITS1 & ITS2). The ITS1 and ITS2 regions were amplified using ITS1 and ITS4 primers. The purified PCR products were sequenced. The G + C ratio of the ITS region ranged from 40.76 to 57.34%. The purity ratio ranged from 1.68 to 2.10, while the DNA concentration varied from 30 to 168 ng/µL for 4 different species tested. The average yield of the DNA recorded for these Chlorophytes was 5.45 µg. The phylogenetic tree was created by aligning the ITS sequence using MEGA 7 software following the maximum likelihood method. The taxonomic identity of all these 4 macroalgal species was successfully determined based on PCR results. The GenBank accession numbers [(MT452260), (MT452261), (MT484071), and (MT452262)] were obtained for all the four sequences. Overall, the northern region is species-poor in comparison with the southern belt of the Gulf of Kachchh, yet it bears some economically viable macroalgal species making it an important ecological area to be studied and explored.

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Acknowledgements

Dhara Dixit (DD) acknowledges the financial support (SR/WOS-A/LS-388/2012 (G)) received through the award of Women Scientist–A from the Department of Science & Technology (DST), New Delhi. The infrastructural support provided by the Director, CSIR-CSMCRI is highly acknowledged. DD acknowledges the encouragement and support extended by Dr. M.G. Thakkar [(H.O.D.) Department of Earth & Environmental Science, K.S.K.V. Kachchh University]. The field assistance provided by Kutch Ecological Research Centre (KERC)—A Division of The Corbett Foundation, Kachchh, is duly acknowledged.

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Author notes

  1. Dhara Dixit and Nikunj Balar have contributed equally in this study.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth & Environmental Science, Krantiguru Shyamji Krishna Verma (K.S.K.V.) Kachchh University, Bhuj, Kachchh, Gujarat, 370001, India

    Dhara Dixit & Mrugesh Trivedi

  2. Applied Phycology and Biotechnology Division, CSIR-Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute, Gijubhai Badheka Marg, Bhavnagar, India

    Nikunj Balar, Poornima Suthar & C. R. K. Reddy

  3. Indian Centre for Climate and Societal Impact Research, Shri Vivekanand Research and Training Institute (VRTI), Mandvi - Kachchh, Gujarat, 370465, India

    C. R. K. Reddy

  4. Kutch Ecological Research Centre (KERC) - A Division of The Corbett Foundation, Khatau Makanji Bungalow, P.O. Tera, Taluka Abdasa, District Kutch, Kachchh, Gujarat, 370660, India

    Devesh Gadhavi

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  1. Dhara Dixit
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  2. Nikunj Balar
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  4. Poornima Suthar
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  5. C. R. K. Reddy
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  6. Devesh Gadhavi
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Contributions

DD, NB, and MT conceived and designed the experiments; DD, NB, DG, and PS performed the experiments; DD and NB analyzed the data; DD and NB wrote the paper; MT and CRK Reddy helped in manuscript correction and finalization.

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Correspondence to Dhara Dixit.

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Significance Statement: First report on molecular characterization of 4 Chlorophytes, viz. Caulerpa scalpelliformis (MT452260) Caulerpa racemosa (MT452261) Chaetomorpha linum (MT484071) & Ulva flexuosa (MT452262) using ITS1 and ITS2 regions successfully from Kachchh coast

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Dixit, D., Balar, N., Trivedi, M. et al. Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) Region Targeted Molecular Characterization of Macroalgal Diversity Along the Overlooked Expanse of Gulf of Kachchh, India. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., India, Sect. B Biol. Sci. 91, 889–896 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40011-021-01273-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40011-021-01273-8

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