Now I am puzzled. I learned many years ago from a snow algologist friend
that the red pigment was a hematochrome. I don't have the biochemistry
background to know if astaxanthin is a hematochrome, or vice versa. Has
our understanding changed, or are we talking about more refinement of
naming it? Since I teach about this organism, I would like to know if I
am wrong.
Thanks,
Janice
***********************************
Janice M. Glime, Professor
Department of Biological Sciences
Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI 49931-1295
jmglime at mtu.edu
906-487-2546
FAX 906-487-3167
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> > In response to the question about red snow, the usual
culprit is
> Chlamydomonas nivalis, thoough C. sanguinea is also found. The pigment is
> astaxanthin, a carotenoid. There is also green snow, caused by C.
> balleniana and C. yellowstonensis. This information all came from the
> Chlamydomonas Sourcebook by Lib Harris, ISBN 0-12-326880-X
>> Mike Adams
>>> Mike Adams
> Biology Dept, ECSU
> Willimantic, CT 06226
> (203) 465-5305
>>>
