Utility of molecular-assisted alpha taxonomy of the genus Cystophora (Fucales, Phaeophyceae) from New Zealand and Australia

:Many brown macroalgal species are difficult to identify because of limited morphological differentiation and/or high levels of plasticity. Molecular methods for distinguishing species coupled with morphological examination have been useful in clarifying species status in many groups. Cystophora is a species-rich, morphologically complex brown algal genus that has been carefully monographed, and it is ideal for testing the utility of molecular...