Timothy Jackson1, Soyoung Jeong 1, Guillermo Diaz-Pulido 1
1 Griffith School of Environment, Coastal and Marine Research Centre, and Australian Rivers Institute – Coast and Estuaries, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland 4111, Australia
Correspondence: Timothy L. Jackson, Timothy.Jackson@griffithuni.edu.au
Due to anthropogenic and natural pressures, coral reefs have experienced a significant decline in coral cover since the 1980s, and this has prompted considerable interest in coral reef restoration science. A research topic in reef restoration focuses on understanding the interactions between coral larvae and their preferred settlement substrate, the crustose coralline red algae (CCA). Among the CCA, the genus Titanoderma has been identified as an important coral larvae inducer across a range of coral species. The morpho-anatomy of members of this genus is relatively simple with limited variability in taxonomic characters, consequently, researchers struggle to differentiate potential species. The problem of taxonomic identification is exacerbated by the extensive cryptic species diversity within coralline algae. DNA barcoding is a proposed system for species identification, but there is limited knowledge on the best genetic markers used in the identification of Titanoderma. Therefore, as part of my Honours project, four gene regions will be compared to determine which of the following markers, rbcL, psbA, COI-5p, and SSU is the most suitable genetic marker for tropical and subtropical, coral reef Titanoderma specimens. The material used in this research comes primarily from the Great Barrier Reef. Altogether, this work aims to contribute to the conservation of coral reefs by providing a framework for the rapid, accurate, and cost-effective identification of key macroalgal species that are ecologically important for coral reefs and of significant value in reef restoration.