CAROTENOID COMPOSITION AS TAXONOMIC CHARACTER FOR MICROCYSTIS ISOLATES

Abstract

Nineteen Microcystis aeruginosa isolates, a Microcystis incerta and a Synechococcus grown under constant conditions were analyzed for pigment composition. The carotenoid composition of Microcystis incerta and a Synechococcus isolate differed markedly from that of the other isolates. Although there were not large qualitative differences between the carotenoids of the Microcystis aeruginosa isolates, quantitative differences were apparent. Analysis of the data led to the clustering of these isolates into seven groups. There seemed to be a correlation between toxicity and carotenoid composition. The present results indicate that the quantitative carotenoid composition may be a valuable tool in the taxonomy of the unicellular cyanobacteria.