Multiple losses of photosynthesis in Nitzschia (Bacillariophyceae)

Summary In order to obtain insights into the evolution of colorless (apochlorotic) diatoms, we investigated newly established apochlorotic strains of N itzschia spp. using light and electron microscopy and molecular phylogenetic analyses. Fluorescence microscopic observations demonstrated that the apochlorotic diatoms lack chlorophylls. Transmission electron microscopy of two apochlorotic strains also demonstrated that their plastids lacked...