Divergence times and plastid phylogenomics within the intron?rich order Erythropeltales (Compsopogonophyceae, Rhodophyta)

The advent of high-throughput sequencing (HTS) has allowed for the use large numbers coding regions to produce robust phylogenies. These phylogenies have been used highlight relationships at ancient diversifications (subphyla, class) and evolution plastid genome structure. Erythropeltales are an order in Compsopogonophyceae, a group with unusual genomes but low taxon sampling. We HTS near complete all genera, multiple species within some investigate character evolution, dating divergence group, organization, including intron patterns. Our results fully supported phylogeny genera suggest that morphologies (upright versus crustose) evolved times. dated also indicates is very old (~800 Ma), diversification occurring after ice ages Cryogenian period (750–635 Ma). Plastid gene congruent phylogenetic suggests architecture does not change often. data abundance introns this order. nearly Tsunamia transpacifica (Stylonematophyceae) add sampling class. clearly produces can be infer evolutionary events, increased sampling, especially less well-known red algal groups, will provide additional insights into their evolution.