Phycoerythrin-containing Microcystis isolated from P.R. China and Thailand (original) (raw)

Phycological Research, 1998

Abstract

ABSTRACT Four strains of the unicellular, colonial cyanobacteria, Microcystis were isolated from P.R. China and Thailand, and showed greyish-brown to dark brown color of cell mass. Their cells were almost spherical, 3.8–5.5 μm in diameter and had gas vesicles. Their colony forms have some differences among the strains but still have common characteristics including being irregular, reticulate, elongated and lobated. These characteristics are remarkably similar to Microcystis aeruginosa (Kutz.) Kutz. In addition, three of the strains also have the characteristics of Microcystis ichthyoblabe Kutz at times, and another sometimes shows characteristics similar to Microcystis novacekii (Kom.) Comp. The absorption spectra of both intact cells and extracted phy-cobiliproteins showed an absorption peak at 560–570 nm in wavelength, which is the absorption range of phycoerythrin. Since no species of Microcystis has ever been reported to have phycoerythrin, the existence of phycoerythrin separates these four strains from the known species of Microcystis, and might enable them to be classified as a new species. Phycoerythrin might give these organisms the advantage to live underwater where the light is predominantly green in color.

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