Curator of Algae

My engagement with seaweeds began as an undergraduate at UC Berkeley during a summer course at the Bodega  Marine Lab in 1976.  Don Kaplan was my major professor for my PhD at UC Berkeley.  Paul Silva has been my valued mentor for 30 years; I am making every effort to care for the University Herbarium's splendid collection of seaweeds as he did for more than 50 years (https://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/CPD/algal_research.html).

The California seaweed flora is my main focus.  I've collected extensively throughout California, with a strong emphasis on the California Channel Islands, where I've worked since 1983 with Jack Engle, supported by the Tatman Foundation (Ephraim, WI).  I am currently updating the book that has taught me so much, Abbott & Hollenberg's Marine Algae of California (1976), in our current California Seaweed eFlora project.  I'm also interested in additions to our seaweed flora — non-native species introduced to our harbors by mariculture and shipping.  

Teaching has been important to me, especially field courses for the Jepson Workshop program and at University of New Hampshire/Cornell University's Shoals Marine Laboratory in the Gulf of Maine, University of Washington's Friday Harbor Laboratories and the University of Southern California's Wrigley Marine Science Center on Santa Catalina Island.  

I work with ecologists who are monitoring the California coast in a changing world:
MARINe
LiMPETS
REEF Check California

I am a morphologist in the era of molecules. I am lucky to share UC's specimens and to enjoy collaborations with brilliant people who have wonderful molecular laboratories, including: Sung Min Boo and his students (Chungnam University, Korea), Jeffery Hughey (Hartnell College, Salinas, CA), Paul Gabrielson (U. North Carolina), Patrick Martone (University of British Columbia, Canada), Jim Coyer (formerly at U. Groningen, the Netherlands), Hwan Su Yoon (Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Korea) and Hiroshi Kawai (Kobe University, Japan).

ONLINE PUBLICATIONS

Updates to Marine Algae of California (1976).  2014.  https://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/californiaseaweeds.html
Algal type specimens in UC (working list).  With R.L. Moe.  https://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/ina/algal_types.html
Index to the Phycotheca Boreali-Americana.  2009.  https://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/ina/pba/pba_main.html
Galapagos Type Specimens in UC.  2007.  https://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/ina/galapagos_types.html
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.  www.iucnredlist.org  K.A. Miller, L.E. Garske, G.J. Edgar. 2007. 74 species of Galapagos marine algae assessed.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Schipper, S.R., J.P. Shivak, K.R. Hind, K.A. Miller, J.R. Hughey, P.W. Gabrielson, and P. T. Martone. 2022. Reinstatement of Corallina chilensis (Corallinaceae, Rhodophyta) based on DNA sequencing of type material collected by Darwin. Phycologia. In press.

Boo, G.H., F. Leliaert, L. Le Gall, E. Coppejans, O. De Clerck, T.V. Nguyen, C.E. Payri, K.A. Miller, and H.S. Yoon. 2022. Ancient Tethyan vicariance and long-distance dispersal drive global diversification and cryptic speciation in the red seaweed Pterocladiella. Frontiers in Plant Science. In press.

Kiang, N.Y. W.D. Swingley, D. Gautam, J.T. Broddrick, D. Repeta, J.F. Stolz, R.E. Blankenship, B.M. Wolf, A.M. Detweiler, K.A. Miller, J.J. Schladweiler, R. Lindeman, and M.N. Parenteau. 2022. Discovery of chlorophyll d: Isolation and characterization of a far-red cyanobacterium from the original site of Manning and Strain (1943) at Moss Beach, California. Microorganisms 2022, 10, 819. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms10040819

Kang, J.C., S.-M. Lin, K.A. Miller, and M.S. Kim. 2021. Taxonomic revision of hook-forming Acrosorium (Delesseriaceae, Rhodophyta) from the northwestern Pacific based on morphology and molecular data. Plants 10(11): 2269. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10112269

Kawai, H., T. Hanyuda, Q. Cheng, K.A. Miller, and A.F. Peters. 2021. Taxonomic revision of Dictyosiphon (Ectocarpales s.l., Phaeophyceae) from the northwestern Pacific, with descriptions of D. asiaticus sp. nov and D. sparsus sp. nov. European Journal of Phycology. https://doi.org/10.1080/09670262.2021.1959653

Hughey, J.R. and K.A. Miller. 2021. Genetic investigation of three type specimens of Osmundea (Rhodomelaceae, Rhodophyta) from the Gulf of California, Mexico and California, USA. Phytotaxa. 489: 65-78. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.489.1.5

Hughey, J.R., P.W. Gabrielson, C.A. Maggs, F. Mineur, and K.A. Miller. 2020. Taxonomic revisions based on genetic analysis of type specimens of Ulva conglobata, Ulva laetevirens, Ulva pertusa and Ulva spathulata (Ulvales, Chlorophyta). Phycological Research 69: 148-153.

Tran, L.-A. T., Q. Bafort, F. Steen, A.M. Garreta, S. D'Hondt, K.A. Miller, S. Vranken, A. Zuljevic, J.E. Smith, and O. De Clerck. 2020. Dictyota cyanoloma (Dictyotales, Phaeophyceae), a newly introduced brown algal species in California. J. Phycology 57: 370-378.

Boo, G.H., M. Zubia, J. R. Hughey, A. R. Sherwood, M.T. Fujii, S.M. Boo, and K.A. Miller. 2020. Mitochondrial genomes reveal population-level patterns in the widespread red alga Gelidiella fanii (Gelidiales, Rhodophyta). Frontiers in Marine Science. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2020.583957

Hanyuda, T., K. Yamamura, G.H. Boo, K.A. Miller, K.L. Vinogradova, and H. Kawai. 2019. Identification of true Gloiopeltis furcata (Gigartinales, Rhodophyta) and preliminary analysis of its biogeography. Phycological Research. 68: 161-168.

Boo, G.H., Y.-X. Qiu, J.Y. Kim, P.O. Ang Jr., S. Bosch, O. De Clerck, P. He, B. Huang, K. Kogame, S.-L. Liu, T. van Nguyen, S. Suda, R. Terada, S. Thiamdao, K.A. Miller and S.M. Boo. 2019. Contrasting patterns of genetic structure and phylogeography in the genus Gelidiophycus (Rhodophyta) in East Asia. J. Phycology 55:1319-1334. DOI: 10.1111/jpy.12910

Hughey, J.R., C.A. Maggs, F. Mineur, C. Jarvis, K.A. Miller, S.H. Shabaka, and P.W. Gabrielson. 2019. Genetic analysis of the Linnean Ulva lactuca (Ulvales, Chlorophyta) holotype and related type specimens reveals name misapplications, unexpected origins, and new synonymies. J. Phycology. 55:503-505. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpy.12860

Perrone C., A. Bottalico, G.H. Boo, G.H., S.M. Boo, K.A. Miller, and D.W. Freshwater. 2019. Gelidium adriaticum sp. nov. and Gelidium carolinianum sp. nov. (Gelidiales, Rhodophyta) from the Mediterranean Sea. Phycologia. 58:359-373. https://doi.org/10.1080/00318884.2019.1580102"

Hughey, J.R. and K.A. Miller. 2018. Noteworthy Collections: California. Agardhiella subulata, Colpomenia claytoniae, Pyropia suborbiculata. Madroño. 65:154-156

Hughey, J.R., K.A. Miller, and P.W. Gabrielson. 2018. Mitogenome analysis of a green tide forming Ulva from California, USA confirms its identity as Ulva expansa (Ulvaceae, Chlorophyta). Mitochondrial DNA Part B: Resources 3:2, 1302-1303, DOI: 10.1080/23802359.2018.1535859

Sutti, S., M. Tani, Y. Yamagishi, T. Abe, K.A. Miller, and K. Kogame. 2018. Neochondria gen. nov. (Rhodomelaceae, Rhodophyta), a segregate of Chondria, comprises N. ammophila sp. nov. and N. nidifica comb. nov. Phycologia 57: 262-272.

Pérez-Ortega, S., K.A. Miller, and A. de los Rios. 2018. Challenging the lichen concept: Turgidosculum ulvae (Verrucariaceae) represents an independent photobiont shift to a multicellular blade-like alga. The Lichenologist 50: 341-356.

Boo, G.H., L. Le Gall, I.K. Hwang, K.A. Miller, and S.M. Boo. 2018. Phylogenetic relationships and biogeography of Ptilophora (Gelidiales, Rhodophyta) with descriptions of P. aureolusa sp. nov., P. malagasya sp. nov. and P. spongiophila sp. nov. from Madagascar. Journal of Phycology. 54(2): 249-263.

Graf, L., Y.J. Kim, G.Y. Cho, K.A. Miller, and H.S. Yoon.  2017.  Plastid and mitochondrial genomes of Coccophora langsdorfii (Fucales, Phaeophyceae) and the utility of molecular markers. PLoS ONE 12 (11): e0187104  DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0187104.

Poong, S.-W., P.-E. Lim, S.-M. Phang, H. Sunarpi, J.A. West, K.A. Miller, W.A. Nelson, and H.Kawai.  2017.  Two new species of Mesospora (Ralfsiales, Phaeophyceae) from the subtropical Indo-Pacific region. Phycologia 56: 487-498.

Bustamante, D., B.Y. Won, K.A. Miller, and T. O. Cho.  2017.  Wilsonosiphonia gen. nov. (Rhodomelaceae, Rhodophyta) based on a molecular phylogeny with a review of key morphological characters in Polysiphonia sensu lato. Journal of Phycology 53: 368-380.

Kawai, H., T. Hanyuda, X. Gao, M. Terauchi, M. Miyata, S. Lindstrom, N. Klochkova, and K.A. Miller.  2017.  Taxonomic revision of Agaraceae with description of Neoagarum gen. nov. and reinstatement of Thalassiophyllum. Journal of Phycology 53: 261-270.

Neiva, J., E.A. Serrão, L. Anderson, P.T. Raimondi, N. Martins, L. Gouveia, C. Paulino, N.C. Coelho, K.A. Miller, D.C. Reed, L.B. Ladah, and G.A. Pearson.  2017.  Cryptic diversity, geographical endemism and allopolyploidy in NE Pacific seaweeds. BMC Evolutionary Biology 17:30. DOI 10.1186/s12862-017-0878-2

Hughey, J.R., M.H. Hommersand, P.W. Gabrielson, K.A. Miller, and T. Fuller.  2017.  Analysis of the complete plastomes of three species of Membranoptera (Ceramiales, Rhodophyta) from Pacific North America. Journal of Phycology 53: 32-43.

Chacana M.E., P.C. Silva, F.F. Pedroche and K.A. Miller.  2016.  Codium (Chlorophyta) species presented in the Galápagos Islands.  Hidrobiológica 26: 151-159.

Boo, G.H., J.R. Hughey, K.A. Miller, and S.M. Boo.  2016.  Mitogenomes from type specimens, a genotyping tool for morphologically simple species: ten genomes of agar-producing red algae.  Scientific Reports 6: 35337.   DOI: 10.1038/srep35337

Calderon, M., K.A. Miller, T.O. Seo and S.M. Boo.  2016.  Transfer of selected Ahnfeltiopsis (Phyllophoraceae, Rhodophyta) species to the genus Besa and description of Schottera koreana sp. nov.  European Journal of Phycology 51: 1-13.  DOI: 10.1080/09670262.2016.1201701.

Boo, G.H., L. LeGall, K.A. Miller, D.W. Freshwater, T. Wernberg, R. Terada, K.J. Yvon and S.M. Boo.  2016.  A novel phylogeny of the Gelidiales (Rhodophyta) based on five genes including the nuclear CesA, with descriptions of Orthogonacladia gen. nov. and Orthogonacladiaceae fam. nov.  Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 101: 359-372.

Lee, J.M., K.M. Kim, E.C. Yang, K.A. Miller, S.M. Boo, D. Bhattacharya, and H.S. Yoon.  2016.  Reconstructing the complex evolutionary history of mobile plasmids in red algal genomes.  Scientific Reports 6: 23744.   DOI: 10.1038/srep23744.

Hughey, J.R. and K.A. Miller.  2016.  Molecular phylogenetic analysis of Sciadophycus stellatus (Rhodymeniales, Rhodophyta) supports its placement in the family Rhodymeniaceae.  Phytotaxa 245: 297-300.

Boo, G.H., I.K. Hwang, D.S. Ha, K.A. Miller, K. Kogame, Y. Cho, J.Y. Kim, and S.B. Boo.   2016.  Phylogeny and distribution of the genus Pikea (Gigartinales, Rhodophyta) with special reference to P. yoshizakii from Korea. Phycologia 55: 3-11.

Hind, K., K.A. Miller, M. Young,, C. Jensen., P.W. Gabrielson and P.T. Martone.   2015.  Resolving cryptic species of Bossiella (Corallinales, Rhodophyta) using contemporary and historical DNA.  American Journal of Botany 102: 1912-1930.

Miller, K.A.  2014.  Paul Claude Silva 1922-2014.  Botanica Marina 57: 241-242.

Silva, P.C., F.F. Pedroche, M.E. Chacana and K.A. Miller.  2014.  Validation of the names of two new species of Codium (Chlorophyta, Bryopsidales) from Isla Guadalupe and Rocas Alijos, Pacific Mexico and the southern California Channel Islands, with some remarks on insular endemism.  Botanica Marina 57: 243-250.

Hughey, J. R., P.W. Gabrielson, L. Rohmer, L., J. Tortolani, M. Silva, K.A. Miller, J.D. Young, C. Martell and E. Ruediger.  2014.  Minimally destructive sampling of type specimens of Pyropia (Bangiales, Rhodophyta) recovers complete plastid and mitochondrial genomes.  Scientific Reports 4: 5113.

Kim, S.Y., E.C. Yang, H.S. Yoon, K.A. Miller and S.M. Boo.  2014.  Genetic diversity and haplotype distribution of Pachymeniopsis gargiuli sp. nov. and P. lanceolata (Halymeniales, Rhodophyta) in Korea, with notes on their non-native distributions.  Journal of Phycology 50: 885-896.

Yoon, K.J., K.M. Kim, G.H. Boo, K.A. Miller and S.M. Boo.  2014.  Mitochondrial cox1 and cob sequence diversities in Gelidium vagum (Gelidiales, Rhodophyta) in Korea.  Algae 29: 15-25.

Lee, K.M., G.H. Boo, J.A. Coyer, W.A. Nelson, K.A. Miller and S.M. Boo.  2013.  Distribution patterns and introduction pathways of the cosmopolitan brown alga Colpomenia peregrina using mt cox3 and atp6 sequences.  Journal of Applied Phycology 26: 491-504.

Zabin, C., E. Danner, E. Baumgarter, D. Spafford, K.A. Miller and J.S. Pearse.  2013.  A comparison of intertidal species richness and composition between central California and Oahu, Hawaii.  Marine Ecology 34: 131-156.

Martone, P.T., S.C. Lindstrom, K.A. Miller and P.W. Gabrielson.  2012.  Chiharaea and Yamadaia (Corallinales, Rhodophyta) represent reduced and highly derived articulated coralline morphologies.  Journal of Phycology 48: 859-868.

Miller, K.A., L.E. Aguilar-Rosas and F.F. Pedroche.  2011.  A review of non-native seaweeds from California, USA and Baja California, México.  Reseña de algas marinas no nativas de California, USA y Baja California, México.  Hidrobiológica 21: 240-254.

Murray, S.N. and K.A. Miller.  2011.  Marine macrophytes of the open-coast, rocky intertidal habitats of the Cabrillo National Monument. Natural Resource Data Series NPS/MEDN/NRDS—2011/189. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado.

Boo, G.H., S.C. Lindstrom, N.G. Klochkova, N. Yotsukura, E.C. Yang, H.G. Kim, J.R. Waaland, G.Y. Cho, K.A. Miller and S.M. Boo.  2011.  Taxonomy and biogeography of Agarum and Thalassiophyllum (Laminariales, Phaeophyceae) based on sequences of nuclear, mitochondrial, and plastid markers.  Taxon 60: 831-840.

Gabrielson, P.W., K.A. Miller and P.T. Martone.  2011.  Morphometric and molecular analyses confirm two distinct species of Calliarthron (Corallinales, Rhodophyta), a genus endemic to the northeast Pacific.  Phycologia 50: 298-316.

Edgar, G.J., S. Banks, M. Brandt, R.H. Bustamante, A. Chiriboga, S.A. Earle, L.E. Garske, P.W. Glynn, S. Henderson, C.P. Hickman, K.A. Miller, F. Rivera and G.M. Wellington.  2010.  El Niño, fisheries and animal grazers interact to magnify extinction risk for Galapagos marine species. Global Change Biology 16: 2876-2890.

Kogishi, K.,T. Kitayama, T. Hanyuda, K.A. Miller and H. Kawai.  2010.  Phylogeography of Cutleria cylindrica (Cutleriales, Phaeophyceae) in northeastern Asia, and the identity of an introduced population in California. Journal of Phycology 46: 553-558.

Miller, K.A., J.R. Hughey and P.W. Gabrielson.  2009.  First report of the Japanese species Grateloupia lanceolata (Halymeniaceae, Rhodophyta) from California, USA.  Phycological Research 57: 238-241.

Hughey, J.R., K.A. Miller and A. Lyman. 2009.  Noteworthy collections: Dasya sessilis, Grateloupia lanceolata, Grateloupia turuturu, and Neosiphonia harveyi.  Madroño 56: 293-295.

Hughey, J.R. and K.A. Miller.  2009.  Noteworthy collection: Schizymenia dubyi, new to California.  Madroño 56: 64.

Miller, K.A. and J.M. Engle.  2009.  The natural history of Undaria pinnatifida and Sargassum filicinum at the California Channel Islands:  non-native seaweeds with different invasion styles.  In Damiani, C.C. and D.K. Garcelon (eds.) Proceedings of the Seventh California Islands Symposium, Institute for Wildlife Studies, Arcata, CA.  Pp. 131-140.

Coyer, J.A., K.A. Miller, J.M. Engle, J. Veldsink, A. Cabello-Pasini, W.T. Stam and J.L. Olsen.  2008.  Eelgrass meadows in the California Channel Islands and adjacent coast reveal a mosaic of two species, evidence for introgression, and variable clonality.  Annals of Botany 101: 73-87.

Edgar G.J., S. Banks, R. Bensted-Smith, M. Calvopiña, A. Chiriboga, L.E. Garske, S. Henderson, K.A. Miller and S. Salazar.  2008.  Conservation of threatened species in the Galapagos Marine Reserve through identification and protection of marine Key Biodiversity Areas. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 18: 955-968.

Miller, K.A., J.M. Engle, S. Uwai and H. Kawai.  2007.  First report of the Asian seaweed Sargassum filicinum Harvey (Fucales) in California, USA.  Biological Invasions 9: 609-613.

Kitayama, T., K.A. Miller and P.C. Silva.  2005.  First record of Elachista nigra (Chordariales, Phaeophyceae) from California, North America.  Bulletin of the National Science Museum, Tokyo, Japan, Series B, 31(1): 57-60.

Miller, K.A., J.L. Olsen and W.T. Stam.  2000.  Genetic divergence correlates with morphological and ecological subdivision in the deep-water kelp, Pelagophycus porra (Phaeophyceae).  Journal of Phycology. 36: 862-870.

Masuda, M. and K.A. Miller.  1999.  A new species of Odonthalia from the Aleutian Islands, Alaska.  Phycologia 38: 253-260.