Immunochemical recognition of phytoplankton species

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Abstract
We have developed polyclonal antisera to phytoplankton species from most major groups of ultraplankton taxa. Surface antigens were provided by 7 clonal cultures of cells from 6 major algal groups. The resulting antisera were tested rigorously in an indirect immunofluorescence (IF) assay, for cross reactions against closely and more distantly related taxa in order to determine levels of specificity of the responses. For each of the antigens, we obtained an antiserum that was at least genus-specific; most were species-specific (within the limits of known species identifications). Within species, clones isolated from widely different geographic and ecological origins all cross reacted. In the one species where life history stages were tested (Emiliania huxleyi) both the flagellated and the non-motile stages reacted. The IF approach will alow identification of very small species and the quantification of specific components in the natural community and thus will permit studies of spatial and temporal changes in dominance and diversity within the ultraplankton community.

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