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Analysis of fluorescence from algae fossils of the Neoproterozoic Doushantuo formation of China by confocal laser scanning microscope
Author(s) -
Chi Huimei,
Xiao Zhongdang,
Fu Degang,
Lu Zuhong
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
microscopy research and technique
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.536
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1097-0029
pISSN - 1059-910X
DOI - 10.1002/jemt.20295
Subject(s) - algae , optical sectioning , microscope , fluorescence , confocal , wavelength , laser , microscopy , green algae , confocal laser scanning microscopy , fluorescence microscope , confocal microscopy , optics , biology , botany , biophysics , physics
Chinese algae fossils can provide unique information about the evolution of the early life. Thin sections of Neoproterozoic algae fossils, from Guizhou, China, were studied by confocal laser scanning microscopy, and algae fossils were fluorescenced at different wavelengths when excited by laser light of 488 nm, 476 nm, and 568 nm wavelength. When illuminated by 488 nm laser light, images of the algae fossils were sharper and better defined than when illuminated by 476 nm and 568 nm laser light. The algae fossils fluoresce at a wide range of emission wavelengths. The three‐dimensional images of the fluorescent algae fossils were compared with the transmission images taken by light microscope. We found that the fluorescence image of the confocal laser scanning microscope in a single optical section could pass for the transmission image taken by a light microscope. We collected images at different sample depths and made a three‐dimensional reconstruction of the algae fossils. And on the basis of the reconstruction of the three‐dimensional fluorescent images, we conclude that the two algae fossils in our present study are red algae. Microsc. Res. Tech. 69:253–259, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.