ABSTRACT Based on analyses of multiple molecular markers (18S rDNA, ITS1, ITS2 rDNA, rbcL), an alga that causes red snow on the melting ice cover of a high-alpine lake in the High Tatras (Slovakia) was shown to be identical with Chlainomonas sp. growing in a similar habitat in the Tyrolean Alps (Austria). Both populations consisted mostly of smooth-walled quadriflagellates. They occurred in slush, and shared similar photosynthetic performances (photoinhibition above 1300 µmol photons m–2 s–1), very high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA, 64% and 74% respectively) and abundant astaxanthin accumulation, comparable to the red spores of Chlamydomonas nivalis (Bauer) Wille. Physiological differences between the Slovak and Austrian populations included higher levels of α-tocopherol and a 13Z-isomer of astaxanthin in the former. High accumulation of secondary pigments in the Slovak population probably reflected harsher environmental conditions, since the collection was made later in the growing season when cells were exposed to higher irradiance at the surface. Using a polyphasic approach, we compared Chlainomonas sp. with Chlamydomonas nivalis. The latter causes ʻconventionalʼ red snow, and shows high photophysiological plasticity, with high efficiency under low irradiance and no photoinhibition up to 2000 µmol photons m–2 s–1. Its PUFA content was significantly lower (50%). An annual cycle of lake-to-snow colonization by Chlainomonas sp. from slush layers deeper in the ice cover is proposed. Our results point to an ecologically highly specialized cryoflora species, whose global distribution is likely to be more widespread than previously assumed.

中文翻译：

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衣藻两个种群的生态生理学和形态学比较。 （绿藻）在高塔特拉山和奥地利阿尔卑斯山冰雪覆盖的湖泊上造成红雪


摘要 基于对多种分子标记（18S rDNA、ITS1、ITS2 rDNA、rbcL）的分析，一种在高塔特拉山（斯洛伐克）高山湖泊融化的冰盖上产生红雪的藻类被证明与衣藻属生长在蒂罗尔阿尔卑斯山（奥地利）的类似栖息地。两个种群都主要由壁光滑的四鞭毛虫组成。它们发生在雪泥中，具有相似的光合性能（光抑制高于 1300 µmol 光子 m–2 s–1）、非常高水平的多不饱和脂肪酸（PUFA，分别为 64% 和 74%）和丰富的虾青素积累，与红虾相当雪衣藻 (Chlamydomonas nivalis (Bauer) Wille) 的孢子。斯洛伐克人和奥地利人之间的生理差异包括前者的 α-生育酚和虾青素 13Z 异构体含量较高。斯洛伐克种群中次生色素的大量积累可能反映了更恶劣的环境条件，因为收集是在生长季节后期进行的，当时细胞暴露在表面较高的辐照度下。使用多相方法，我们比较了 Chlainomonas sp。与雪衣藻。后者会导致“传统”的红雪，并表现出高光生理可塑性，在低辐照度下具有高效率，并且在高达 2000 µmol 光子 m–2 s–1 时没有光抑制。其PUFA含量显着降低（50%）。一年一度的衣藻从湖到雪的定植周期。建议从冰盖更深的雪泥层中进行。我们的结果指出了一种生态高度专业化的低温植物物种，其全球分布可能比之前假设的更广泛。