Monostroma
| Monostroma | |
|---|---|
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| Monostroma hariotii | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Viridiplantae |
| Phylum: | Chlorophyta |
| Class: | Ulvophyceae |
| Order: | Ulvales |
| Family: | Monostromataceae |
| Genus: | Monostroma |
| Species | |
In taxonomy, Monostroma is a genus of marine green algae (seaweed), specifically of the Monostromataceae. As the name suggests, algae of this genus are monostromatic (single cell layered). Monostroma kuroshiense, an algae of this genus, is commercially cultivated in East Asia and South America for the edible product "hitoegusa-nori" or "hirohano-hitoegusa nori", popular sushi wraps. Monostroma oligosaccharides with degree of polymerization 6 prepared by agarase digestion from Monostroma nitidum polysaccharides have been shown to be an effective prophylactic agent during in vitro and in vivo tests against Japanese encephalitis viral infection. The sulfated oligosaccharides from Monostroma seem to be promising candidates for further development as antiviral agents. The Monostroma genus is the most widely cultivated genus among green seaweeds.
Species-level classification within this genus is quite problematic and there are no consensus exists among algal taxonomists. This genus is oftentimes referred as "Gayralia", however Gayralia and Monostroma are congeneric. A number of monostromatic algal species have been removed from this genus, including Kornmannia, Ulvopsis and Capsosiphon. Currently accepted working-classification of monostromatic green algae is provided as a figure. A taxonomic field-identification dichotomous key for this genus is available
Largest phylogeographic assessment of this genus yet conducted in SW Japan revealed existence of sympatric speciation in a panmictic population; the first report of sympatric speciation in algae
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Wikipedia