I. Hewson et al., Virus-like particles associated with Lyngbya majuscula (Cyanophyta; Oscillatoriacea) bloom decline in Moreton Bay, Australia, AQUAT MIC E, 25(3), 2001, pp. 207-213
Expansive blooms of the toxic cyanobacterium Lyngbya majuscula were observe
d in 2 shallow water regions of Moreton Bay, Australia. The rapid bloom dec
line (8 to <1 km(2) in <7 d) prompted an investigation of the role of cyano
phage viruses in the ecophysiology of L. majuscula. Virus-like particles pr
oduced by decaying L. majuscula were observed using electron microscopy. Th
e virus-like particles were similar in morphology to viruses in the genus C
yanostyloviridae. The effect of viruses on L. majuscula photosynthesis was
investigated by: (1) creating a virus concentrate using tangential-flow ult
rafiltration of seawater surrounding L. majuscula; (2) inoculating L. majus
cula with the concentrate; and (3) measuring photosynthetic response using
a pulse-amplitude modulated fluorometer. Virus concentrate addition resulte
d in decreased initial fluorescence, decreased photochemical efficiency and
decreased electron transport rate in rapid light curves after 5 d. Viruses
present within L. majuscula filaments may play an important role in the bl
oom dynamics of this ecologically important cyanobacterium.