An Ocean of Unknown Species (Artsdatabanken)

Marine green macroalgae (Chlorophyta) are vital to ecosystem health but remain taxonomically underexplored due to cryptic diversity, morphological plasticity, and species complexes that hinder classical identification. Despite the ecological significance and growing economic relevance of macroalgae representatives of the class Ulvophyceae in Norway, they are poorly represented in molecular databases. This project addresses these critical gaps through a seasonally stratified, nationwide field campaign spanning all marine ecoregions from southern Norway to Svalbard. Representative sampling across diverse habitats will support the first comprehensive inventory and biogeographic assessment of Norwegian green
The Norwegian Taxonomy Initiative (NTI) – project proposals on taxonomic inventories of poorly known species macroalgae. Herbarium specimens will be barcoded for the first time, enabling analysis of historical range shifts, invasion patterns, and taxonomic reassessments. An integrative methodology—combining morphological and ontogenetic analyses with multi-locus DNA barcoding and whole chloroplast genome sequencing—will facilitate species delimitation, reveal cryptic diversity, and clarify phylogenetic relationships within the Ulvophyceae. The resulting molecular framework will support accurate identification, monitoring of
native, invasive, and red-listed species, and inform aquaculture development. Conducted at the Natural  History Museum Bergen, the project will preserve all specimens, digitize and revise existing collections,
and contribute to a national molecular reference library. It will provide tools for species identification,
train early-career taxonomists, engage the public through a museum exhibition, and support sustainable management through collaboration with the Norwegian seaweed industry.

Artsdatabanken 86-25