Revision of the Genus Cryptomonas (Cryptophyceae): a Combination of Molecular Phylogeny and Morphology Provides Insights into a Long-Hidden Dimorphism

Seventy-three strains of cryptophytes assigned to the genera Cryptomonas, Campylomonas or Chilomonas were studied by light microscopy, spectrophotometry and whole-mount electron microscopy. Twelve groups of strains were distinguished by light and whole mount electron microscopy using a combination of characters, mainly cell size, type of periplast and presence/absence and number of pyrenoids. However, characters previously used to distinguish Cryptomonas from Campylomonas (e.g. the type of periplast: polygonal periplast plates vs. a continuous periplast sheet) were found to occur together in dimorphic strains, indicating that periplast types relate to different life-history stages of a single taxon. To evaluate the taxonomic significance of the type of periplast and other characters previously used to distinguish genera and species, representatives of each strain group were subjected to molecular phylogenetic analyses using two nuclear ribosomal DNA regions (ITS2, partial LSU rDNA) and a nucleomorph ribosomal gene (SSU rDNA). The results of the phylogenetic study provide molecular evidence for a life history-dependent dimorphism in the genus Cryptomonas: the genus Campylomonas represents the alternate morph of Cryptomonas. Campylomonas and Chilomonas are reduced to synonyms of Cryptomonas, the genus Cryptomonas is revised and typified, two new species are described and six species are emended.