IMMUNODETECTION OF CYANOBACTERIAL PICOPLANKTERS

Specific polyclonal antisera were raised against freshwater strains of the cyanobacterium Synechococcus and used to characterize Synechococc us from lakes in widely separated geographical locations by differenti al cross-reactivities. A range of other aquatic microorganisms were al so investigated for their cross-reaction with the antibodies. The anti sera raised to three strains of Synechococcus only recognized cells of the genus Synechococcus, amongst a range of cultured microorganisms a nd in natural samples of picoplankton. The antisera were able to disti nguish differences in unicell populations within and between waterbodi es. Similarities in the cell surface antigenic characterisitics of Syn echococcus cells from diverse geographical locations were evident.