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The in vivo spectral properties of nine clonal isolates of marine Synechococcus spp. were compared to identify characteristics associated with intact cells from each of three major pigment groups. In vivo absorption and fluorescence excitation and emission spectra could differentiate between phycoerythrin (PE)‐lacking clones, clones containing a PE composed of phycoerythrobilin and phycourobilin chromophores, and clones containing a PE composed of only phycoerythrobilin chromophores. These differences can be detected analytically by both epifluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry and were observed in clones grown in different environments and at different stages of growth and nutrient limitation. These spectral characters thus reflect intrinsic differences between the three pigment groups and can be used to identify genetically distinct subpopulations of marine Synechococcus spp. in natural waters.
Wood et al. (Fri,) studied this question.