DNA‐DNA REASSOCIATION STUDIES WITH DNA FROM PROCHLORON (PROCHLOROPHYTA) SAMPLES OF INDO‐WEST PACIFIC ORIGIN1

Abstract
Seven Indo‐West Pacific Prochloron Lewin samples and one Caribbean cyanobacterial sample were compared by DNA‐DNA reassociation experiments. The quality and quantity of extracted DNA were affected by several cell preservation methods and DNA extraction and purification procedures. We conclude that Prochloron samples from six different hosts and three different geographical locations spanning ca. 9000 km belong to a single species but are not closely related to the strain of cyanohacteria used. The intraspecific genotypic variation within Prochloron is discussed with respect to host specificity and geographical distribution.