Phylogeny and characterisation of Nannochloropsis oceanica var. sinensis var. nov. (Eustigmatophyceae), a new oleaginous alga from China

Strain QD001, previously identified as Chlorella, was examined using molecular phylogenetic analysis (nuclear-encoded 18S rRNA, ITS, rbcL), ITS2 secondary structure, light and electron microscopy, high-performance liquid chromatography pigment analysis, and fatty acid analysis. The strain was shown to be phylogenetically distinct from all described taxa, and the strain was named Nannochloropsis oceanica var. sinensis var. nov. DNA sequences from the new variety were very similar to GenBank sequences for N. maritima nomen nudum.