CHLOROPLAST PIGMENTS OF CHLOROMONADOPHYCEAE

Abstract

The chloroplast pigments of 2 species of Chloromonadophyceae have been examined. Both Gonyostomum semen and Vacuolaria virescens possessed only one chlorophyll, chlorophyll a. Gonyostomum contained 4 carotenoids, but not fucoxanthin and peridinin. Vacuolaria also possessed 4 carotenoids which have been identified as [beta]-carotene and the 3 xanthophylls commonly found in the Xantho-phyceae (as represented by Tribonema aequale). These are anthera-xanthin, lutein monoepoxide, and an hydroxy lutein monoepoxide-like xanthophyll. The taxonomic significance of these findings, the first for the Chloromonadophyceae, is discussed.