Pyrolysis mass spectrometry as a technique for studying inter- and intraspecific relationships in the genus Fucus

Pyrolysis mass spectrometry (PyMS) was used to investigate the relationships of members of the genus Fucus (F, spiralis, F. vesiculosus, F, ceranoides and F. serratus), and between F. spiralis and F. spiralis forma nanus. Fucus spiralis and F. spiralis forma nanus were not separable by PyMS and are thus a single species. Fucus spiralis, F. vesiculosus, F. ceranoides and F. serratus were separable and their status as species confirmed. The pattern of relatedness between these species suggests a re-evaluation of their evolutionary history in that F. spiralis, F. vesiculosus and F. serratus are more similar to one another than to F. ceranoides. Pyrolysis mass spectrometry was also used to investigate the position of plants identified as putative hybrids between F. spiralis and F. vesiculosus. These plants were found to be intermediate between the two species thus confirming morphological evidence.