The pigments of the symbiotic algae (cyanomes) of Cyanophora paradoxa and Glaucocystis nostochinearum and two Rhodophyceae,Porphyridium aerugineum and Asterocytis ramosa

Summary The pigments of the endosymbiotic algae in Cyanophora paradoxa (colorless cryptomonad) and Glaucocystis nostochinearum (colorless Chlorophyceae) and two Rhodophyceae, Porphyridium aerugineum and Asterocytis ramosa have been examined. Both endosymbionts contain chlorophyll a, -carotene, zeaxanthin, C-phycocyanin and small amounts of allophycocyanin. Porphyridium has been shown to contain chlorophyll a, -carotene and zeaxanthin, as does Asterocytis ramosa. The biliproteins of Porphyridium have not been examined, but evidence is presented to suggest that Asterocytis ramosa may contain R-phycocyanin and possibly C-phycocyanin. The taxonomic implications of these results have been discussed, especially with regard to cyanome symbionts and their evolution from and classification with the Cyanophyceae.