Determining the relative number of prochlorophytes in lake phytoplankton using epifluorescence microscopy

Abstract

Epifluorescence microscopy was used to distinguish prochlorophytes (lacking phycobilin pigments) from cyanobacteria (containing phycobilin pigments). The relative number of prochlorophytes was counted in phytoplankton samples of four shallow, eutrophic lakes in the Loosdrecht lakes district (The Netherlands). Prochlorophyte dominance in summer (up to 60% of filamentous forms) was found to be related to trophic status. © 1989 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.