Research Note: Simple molecular discrimination of cultivated Porphyra species (Porphyra yezoensis and Porphyra tenera) and related wild species (Bangiales, Rhodophyta)

SUMMARY To discriminate between cultivated Porphyra species ( Porphyra yezoensi s and Porphyra tenera ) and closely related wild Porphyra species, we developed a polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) analysis of the rbc L gene using five restriction enzymes. Although our previous PCR‐RFLP analyses of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA and plastid RuBisCO spacer regions could not always discriminate wild P. yezoensis , wild P. tenera , and closely related wild species, the PCR‐RFLP profiles of the rbc L gene were useful in discriminating samples collected from natural habitats. Therefore, PCR‐RFLP analysis of the rbc L gene will help in the simple identification of a large number of samples, not only for the establishment of reliable cultures as breeding material, but also for the taxonomic investigations of species that are closely related to cultivated Porphyra .