Bryopsis algae under fluorescence excitation

[pwnell]

Considered a pest algae in the reef aquarium hobby, and almost impossible to eradicate, I still cannot get over the marvel of its beauty. How can something so beautiful be so unwanted at the same time? Hope you enjoy these.

All were taken with the 40x objective except the first two.


The algae as we see it. This was taken at about 1:2.


10x view of one leaf. The red dots I presume are the chloroplasts fluorescing red under UV excitation due to mainly Chlorophyl a. Chloroplasts are green to the eye due to it absorbing UV, blue and red light but reflecting green. This is most likely common knowledge to everyone here but was not for me.


Closeup of the chloroplasts.


Cloroplasts with other algae (possibly a diatom) attached to it, and some unknown yellow fluorescing organism.


Chloroplasts and some membrane fluorescing cyan-green.


Chloroplasts in red and other tissue auto fluorescing in green.


A collection of small algae (possibly diatoms) attached to the Bryopsis. I would appreciate comments on what the fluorescing green dots are? The red are the chloroplasts inside of the diatoms, I am sure of that. But not the green?


Another diatom attached to the Bryopsis stem.

[curt0909]

These are beautiful. Those triangle shaped objects do resemble diatoms. I would be surprised if they were something else. Could you tell me your camera settings ISO and exposure.

[pwnell]

Thanks. Camera was between ISO100 and ISO200, and a shutter speed of 0.3 - 1/5s. Aperture was NA 0.95.

[curt0909]

Thanks for the info

[GabrielDuong]

My guess for the diatom is Meridion or Gomphonema.

[uaalgae]

To answer your question about the green fluoresenct droplets, they appear to be oil droplets that is stored by the diatoms. Pretty nice, shots!