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Morphological and Molecular Analysis Calls for a Reappraisal of the Red Rain Cells of Kerala

Gangappa, Rajkumar, Burchell, Mark J., Hogg, Stuart I. (2014) Morphological and Molecular Analysis Calls for a Reappraisal of the Red Rain Cells of Kerala. Current Microbiology, 68 (2). pp. 192-198. ISSN 0343-8651. E-ISSN 1432-0991. (doi:10.1007/s00284-013-0464-9) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:43559)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00284-013-0464-9

Abstract

Early studies on the coloured particles that fell as red rain over southern India identified them as unicellular eukaryotes such as members of the red algae or fungi; however, the results of the present investigation are not consistent with this designation. Using transmission electron microscopy, we have demonstrated significant differences in the ultrastructure when compared with representative species from these other groups. Most notably, the red rain cells show no evidence of typical eukaryotic internal structures such as mitochondria or endoplasmic reticulum. Furthermore, comparisons based on elemental composition using energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, as well as Raman spectral signatures demonstrate significant dissimilarities in their molecular composition. The identity and origins of the red rain cells remain an enigma; however, our findings are more consistent with an unidentified prokaryote, and thus suggest that previous attempts at their identification should be reappraised.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1007/s00284-013-0464-9
Subjects: Q Science
Q Science > QB Astronomy
Q Science > QR Microbiology
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Natural Sciences > Physics and Astronomy
Depositing User: Mark Burchell
Date Deposited: 21 Oct 2014 13:53 UTC
Last Modified: 17 Aug 2022 10:57 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/43559 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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