Upconversion Luminescence of Er3+-Yb3+ Codoped NaYF4-PVP Electrospun Nanofibers

NaYF4: 0.02Er center dot xYb-PVP composite nanofibers with the diameter of similar to 400 nm have been prepared by electrospinning. Field emission scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction have been utilized to characterize morphology and structure of the as-prepared electrospun nanofibers. Their up-conversion luminescence is investigated under a 980-nm excitation. Green (538 and 520 nm), red (6-55 nm), and blue (405 nm) emissions are observed in the up-conversion luminescence spectra, and the intensity of these three emissions changes differently with the variety of Yb content, which has been interpreted successfully in this letter. The color of NaYF4: 0.02Er center dot xYb-PVP nanolibers under a 980-nm excitation can be changed from green --> white --> yellow gradually via changing the Yb content.

Growth studies of m-GaN layers on LiAlO2 by MOCVD

This paper reports that the m-plane GaN layer is grown on (200)-plane LiAlO2 substrate by metal-organic chemical vapour deposition (MOCVD) method. Tetragonal-shaped crystallites appear at the smooth surface. Raman measurement illuminates the compressive stress in the layer which is released with increasing the layer's thickness. The high transmittance (80%), sharp band edge and excitonic absorption peak show that the GaN layer has good optical quality. The donor acceptor pair emission peak located at similar to 3.41 eV with full-width at half maximum of 120 meV and no yellow peaks in the photoluminescence spectra partially show that no Li incorporated into GaN layer from the LiAlO2 substrate.

V^3＋：YAG晶体的生长、色心与光谱性能研究

采用石墨电阻加热的温梯法生长了V：YAG晶体，晶体的不同部位呈现两种不同的颜色：浅绿色和黄褐色．通过对比分析不同颜色V：YAG晶体的室温吸收光谱，推断出石墨发热体高温下扩散出来的C可以起到还原作用，提高晶体中V^3＋tetra离子的浓度，同时诱导了F心的形成．在1300℃下，对不同颜色的V：YAG晶体进行真空退火处理，发现处于八面体格位中的V^3＋离子在热激发作用下与近邻的四面体格位Al^3＋离子存在置换反应，由此产生一定浓度的四面体格位V^3＋离子．同时，F心在退火过程中被完全消除，释放出来的自由电子被

Characteristics and optical spectra of V : YAG crystal grown in reducing atmosphere

A V:YAG single crystal was grown by the temperature gradient technique (TGT) with graphite-heating elements. The as-grown crystal has different colorations of light green and yellow brown in different parts. Distribution of vanadium in three samples with different colorations was determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. From the absorption spectrum of the yellow-brown part with peaks at 370, 820 and 1320nm, we can deduce that the reducing atmosphere of carbon diffused from the heating elements can increase the concentration of tetrahedral V3+ ions and induce F color centers. All three samples exhibited light-green color after annealing in vacuum or H-2 atmospheres. In the vacuum annealing process, the V3+ ions in tetrahedral positions were enhanced through two methods: one method is the exchanging of octahedral V3+ and tetrahedral Al3+ ions in neighboring sites under thermal excitation, the other is that F color centers were thoroughly eliminated and the escaped free electrons could be captured by V ions with higher valance states to further improve the concentration of tetrahedral V3+ ions. Besides the two mechanisms, the H-2 annealing process greatly improved the V-tetra(3+) ions through the reduction effect of H-2. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

温梯法蓝宝石（Al2O3）晶体的脱碳去色退火研究

温度梯度法（TGT）生长的Al2O3晶体因石墨发热体在高温时的挥发和原料中过渡性金属离子的存在，晶体在不同部位呈现不同颜色，一般上部为浅红色，尾部为浅黄绿色，将TGT法生长的Al2O3晶体（Ф110×80mm^3）依次经过高温氧化气氛、高温还原气氛脱碳、去色退火实验，即“两步法”退火实验，晶体变成无色、透明，经测试，Al2O3晶体的完整性、光学透过率和光学均匀性均有显著提高。

黄河口滨岸潮滩湿地系统氮生物循环特征与循环模式研究

潮滩湿地处于海陆相互作用地带，是响应全球变化和人类活动较为敏感的生态系统 之一。潮滩湿地是海岸带一个非常重要的生态类型，作为陆地和海洋过渡区的重要组成 部分，承接来自陆地人类活动带来的大量含氮物质。潮滩湿地氮的生物循环特征不但影 响湿地系统自身的调节机制，而且其在环境介质中的特殊动力学过程也与一系列全球环 境问题息息相关。为了更深入的理解潮滩湿地氮的生物循环特征及其关键机制，论文以 黄河口滨岸潮滩翅碱蓬湿地为研究对象，通过野外样品采集、原位实验、微区试验，研 究了湿地土壤氮的时空分布与化学转化特征，探讨了湿地植物生物量与氮累积季节变化 特征以及湿地植物残体分解及分解过程氮动态特征，建立了湿地植物-土壤系统氮循环 分室模式，主要结论如下：（1）潮滩湿地土壤氮含量具有明显的水平变异和空间结构， TN、NO3 --N 和C/N 具有明显空间分布格局，其空间变异性均以向低潮滩延伸且受潮汐 涨落影响较大的方向最大；微地貌特征和潮汐微域物理扰动是导致空间异质性的两个重 要随机因素，水盐条件、土壤类型和潮汐物理扰动是三个重要结构因素；（2）潮滩湿地 土壤氮含量在不同时期的垂直分布均存在较高变异性，主要与有机质分布、潮汐影响、 水分条件以及陆源影响程度有关；潮滩湿地土壤的氮含量具有明显季节变化特征，主要 与水分状况及受潮汐影响的程度有关；（3）潮滩湿地土壤氮的净矿化/硝化速率均呈波动 变化，并受生物固持、反硝化、温度、水分、C/N 和pH 等因素影响；潮滩湿地0~15cm 土壤的净矿化量和净硝化量分别介于0.33~27.81kg·hm-2 和1.19~15.99kg·hm-2，高潮滩湿 地维持无机氮的能力明显强于中潮滩和低潮滩湿地；（4）两种表现型翅碱蓬的生物量 均具有明显季节变化和空间结构分形特征，二者的地上生物量具有自相似性，分别遵从 D=2.012 和2.366 的分形生长过程；（5）沉积强度显著影响翅碱蓬种子的出苗和幼苗存 活，适度沉积可刺激幼苗生长，重度沉积对幼苗生长则具有抑制作用；沉积可促使幼苗 被埋部分发育为根系，反映了其对潮滩较强沉积环境的特殊适应对策；（6）两种表现 型翅碱蓬根、茎和枯落物的TN 含量均呈递减变化，符合指数衰减模型，叶是二者重要 氮储库，分配比高达46.91±16.97%和55.21±9.79%；中潮滩植被的N/P 为9.87±3.47＜14， 其生长受N 限制，低潮滩植被的N/P 为15.73±5.00＜16，其生长同时受N、P 限制，但 更受P 限制；（7）潮滩湿地植物残体在水盐含量较高或沉积较强条件下的失重率和分解 速率一般较高，反之则较低；温度、水分、盐分和pH 是影响残体相对分解速率的重要 摘 要 II 因素；（8）当分解环境的养分状况不发生较大改变时，残体相对分解速率在很大程度上 取决于基质质量，当养分状况因潮汐养分交换、潮汐物理扰动、沉积物矿化等发生较大 改变时，残体相对分解速率在很大程度上取决于分解环境养分供给状况；（9）潮滩湿地 植物残体在不同水盐梯度和沉积强度下的氮含量、C/N 的变化模式整体较为一致，水盐 条件和沉积强度对残体氮绝对量的变化具有重要影响，C/N 对分解过程中氮养分的调控 作用更为重要；（

现代黄河三角洲湿地景观变化及其对水禽生境的影响

本文研究的开展主要源于国家海洋局海洋公益性行业科研专项经费项目“渤海典型区域的海洋多过程数据整合研究”课题支撑。在湿地日益退化丧失的全球背景下，本文选择沉积年代较轻、生态环境比较脆弱，且当前人类活动不断加剧的现代黄河三角洲为研究区，采用1999、2001、2004和2008年的Landsat5 TM遥感影像，选择丹顶鹤和黑嘴鸥为指示物种，结合野外实地调查和历史数据资料的整理和分析，以及黄河三角洲自然保护区对鸟类的监测记录结果，开展现代黄河三角洲湿地景观变化及其对水禽生境的影响研究。 论文的主要研究结果如下： 1、建立了服务于黄河三角洲湿地水禽生境保护的湿地景观分类体系 在系统分析研究区域湿地水禽生活习性和生态分布特征的基础上，从鸟类生境选择的概念出发，建立了服务于黄河三角洲湿地水禽生境保护的湿地景观分类体系。该分类体系一共分为4级，其中，第三级分类系统下天然湿地的划分是从鸟类选择的“大生境”角度出发，即根据区域地表类型，进一步将海洋/海岸湿地和内陆三角洲湿地划分成浅海水域、潮间淤泥滩、潮沟、河口水域、潮间盐沼、河流湿地和沼泽湿地7类。而第四级分类系统下天然湿地的划分则是从鸟类选择的“小生境”（即对水、食物、隐蔽物、干扰等的需求）角度出发，并按照水文和典型植被类型，进一步将天然湿地的三级类型划分为碱蓬沼泽、芦苇沼泽、柽柳灌丛沼泽等33类。 2、系统研究了现代黄河三角洲湿地景观格局的动态变化和影响因素 根据景观生态学理论，选取用于分析的景观格局指数，并从湿地景观类型的组成特征变化、面积变化、形状特征变化、空间配置特征变化四个方面分析在黄河断流前到其恢复正常行水至今的时间里三角洲湿地景观格局的动态变化，研究结果表明：在1999~2008年的9年间，天然湿地构成了现代黄河三角洲景观的主体，约占研究区域景观总面积的65%~75%，决定了该地区湿地的主要结构和功能。但随着人类对土地资源利用方式的不断改变和强度的提高，天然湿地景观呈萎缩退化趋势，9年内共减少338.44 km2，约占研究区景观总面积的8.90%。与此同时，盐田、养殖池塘等人工湿地和耕地等非湿地面积不断扩张，人工湿地面积增加量约为242.08km2，约占研究区景观总面积的6.37%，非湿地面积增加量约为96.36 km2，约占研究区景观总面积的2.53%。从一些重要的景观指数的计算结果来看，研究区域整体景观斑块数量呈增加趋势，平均斑块大小随之减小，景观边界密度大小、聚集度指数也呈下降趋势，表明从1999到2008年研究区域整体景观被边界分割的程度加深，整体景观中的斑块在空间分布上隔离程度加重，开始由大片连续分布向小块离散分布转变，景观的破碎化程度加重。 湿地景观格局变化的驱动机制分析表明，影响研究区湿地景观变化的主要因素包括三个方面，即：黄河水沙条件的驱动力、湿地自身演替驱动力和人为驱动力。在1999~2008年的9年间，黄河虽然恢复正常行水，不再断流，但入海泥沙量的明显减少使得除现行河口处沙嘴继续向海缓慢延伸外，黄河三角洲总体上处于侵蚀状态。湿地自身的演替主要体现在湿地由裸露淤泥质滩涂向发育典型湿地植物群落的顺向演替，以及发育有典型湿地植物群落的湿地向裸露淤泥质滩涂逆向演替两个方面。在1999~2008年间9年里，湿地顺向发育演替面积约130.64 km2，而逆向发育演替面积约为99.51 km2。人类活动一直以来都是影响黄河三角洲湿地景观变化不可忽视的营造力。大规模的滩涂围垦和养殖、农业用地的不断开垦和扩张，以及密集的油田开发活动不仅缩减了原本生长着芦苇茅草等植物的天然湿地资源，而且加重了三角洲湿地景观的破碎程度。 3、在整个研究区域尺度上深刻分析了丹顶鹤和黑嘴鸥潜在生境的适宜性 根据黄河三角洲自然保护区关于鸟类的监测记录资料，在深入分析湿地水禽生活习性和分布特征的基础上，选择丹顶鹤和黑嘴鸥为指示物种，从鸟类生境选择自身的特征出发，确定地表类型、水、食物、隐蔽物和干扰为影响两种鸟类类群进行生境选择的因素，并构建生境适宜性评价模型，在整个研究区域尺度上对两种鸟类类群的潜在生境进行适宜性评价和动态变化分析。研究结果表明，在不考虑居民地、油田作业用地和道路等干扰因子对生境产生的破碎化效应影响时，适宜丹顶鹤和黑嘴鸥生存的生境类型在1999~2008年间占研究区整体景观总面积的比重均在30%以上，其中天然湿地约占适宜生境类型面积的95%，可利用的人工湿地比重极小，但呈缓慢增加趋势，且由于可利用的天然湿地生境类型的逐年减少使得适宜两种鸟类类群的生境类型总面积总体上呈萎缩趋势。在考虑居民地、油田作业用地和道路等干扰因子对生境产生的破碎化效应影响时，适宜丹顶鹤和黑嘴鸥生存的生境类型在1999~2008年间占研究区域整体景观总面积的百分比由之前接近40%下降到20%以下，面积减少量均在600 km2以上。 4、系统分析了研究区湿地景观变化对水禽生境的影响 从研究区湿地景观基质的面积变化、形状和空间邻接关系变化、破碎化等三个方面分析了研究区湿地景观变化对丹顶鹤和黑嘴鸥两种鸟类类群生境的影响，结果表明，湿地景观基质中天然湿地的变化与丹顶鹤、黑嘴鸥适宜生境的大小和空间分布密切相关。在1999~2008年间，随着天然湿地面积的减少，适宜以上两种鸟类类群的生境面积也随之减少，两者呈正相关关系；在1999~2008年间，研究区天然湿地和人工湿地景观基质整体的形状指数均在1.0附近，表明湿地景观基质整体上的边缘效应较小，但建设用地、农林用地等非湿地景观与丹顶鹤和黑嘴鸥适宜生境类型中的主导类型——潮间淤泥滩、潮间盐沼和沼泽湿地等三种景观类型的频繁邻接，对于保护两种鸟类类群十分不利，应积极采取相应的措施加强保护力度；在1999~2008年间，研究区景观整体，以及湿地景观基质结构的破碎化，导致鸟类可利用的天然湿地和人工湿地景观内部斑块之间的连接程度下降，从而使得丹顶鹤、黑嘴

黄海沉积物多细胞趋磁原核生物的特性研究

多细胞趋磁原核生物（Multicellular magnetotactic prokaryotes，MMPs） 是一类由7～45 个含有磁小体的革兰氏阴性细胞聚集而成的球形或者椭圆形 的细胞聚集体，是研究生命起源与进化、细胞分化和生物矿化的模式生物， 目前仅在大西洋沿岸具有一定盐度的层化水体或沉积物中发现。 本文通过光学显微镜和电子显微镜研究了黄海沉积物MMPs 的超微结 构、运动特点和分裂方式等生物学特征，调查了MMPs 的生态分布特征，并 对其尝试培养。 根据形态差别，黄海沉积物的MMPs 可分为花瓣型MMPs（rosette-like MMPs）、菠萝型MMPs（pineapple-like MMPs）和松球型MMPs（pinecone-like MMPs）。花瓣型MMPs 是由23±4 个卵圆形的细胞螺旋形排列而成的球形聚 集体，直径为5.4±0.8 μm，鞭毛周生。细胞内外膜附近有子弹头形/和方形的 铁氧化物型磁小体。菠萝型MMPs 是由39±9 个方形细胞组成的大小为9.6±1.2 μm ×7.8±0.9 μm 的椭圆形聚集体，鞭毛周生。这类MMPs 由多环细胞组成的， 从椭圆体的赤道面向两极，细胞环的直径变小；在每一环内，细胞像书本似 并列相连；相邻两环的细胞为交错式相连。这种结构比花瓣型MMPs 的更为 紧密。菠萝型MMPs 的磁小体均为子弹头形铁氧化物，磁小体的排列与MMPs 的长轴近似平行。松球型MMPs 是由多个长条形的细胞围绕中心的一个凹陷 辐射排列而成的球形聚集体，直径在9.0～14.2 μm 之间。尼罗红和DAPI 染 色发现三种MMPs 均具有脂类颗粒，花瓣型MMPs 和菠萝型MMPs 在聚集体 的表面具有一层外膜，这说明MMPs 的细胞排列具有高度组织性，在一定程 度证明它属于多细胞生物。 花瓣型MMPs 和菠萝型MMPs 分裂时均保持多细胞形式，但花瓣型 MMPs 沿着聚集体的短轴分开，而菠萝型MMPs 沿着长轴分开。两种MMPs 具有MMPs 典型的逃逸运动，花瓣型MMPs 和菠萝型MMPs 的运动速度分别 为55±26 μm/s 和99±50 μm/s。 黄海花瓣型MMPs 的超微结构、运动方式和分裂特点与大西洋沿岸多个 地区发现的MMPs 相似，花瓣型MMPs 可能是MMPs 的优势类群。菠萝型 MMPs 从整体形态、细胞排列和分裂方式上与花瓣型MMPs 显著不同，是一 类新的MMPs。松球型MMPs 是一类尚未报道的MMPs。 对MMPs 的生态分布调查发现，花瓣型MMPs 广泛分布于砂质沉积物中， 最大丰度出现在氧化还原跃层（redoxcline）。菠萝型MMPs 多分布在砾石沉 积物的表层。两种MMPs 占据不同的生态位，暗示着两者可能具有不同的生 理代谢途径。 对MMPs 的培养发现，在实验室内MMPs 可存活8 个月，MMPs 丰度随 着时间变化出现周期性的变化，推测其繁殖周期可能是10～15 天。 本文为太平洋沿岸MMPs 的首次研究，支持MMPs 在全球广泛分布的观 点，并展示了MMPs 的形态多样性。

Y chromosome haplotypes reveal prehistorical migrations to the Himalayas

By using 19 Y chromosome biallelic markers and 3 Y chromosome microsatellite markers, we analyzed the genetic structure of 31 indigenous Sino-Tibetan speaking populations (607 individuals) currently residing in East, Southeast, and South Asia. Our results showed that a T to C mutation at locus M122 is highly prevalent in almost all of the Sino-Tibetan populations, implying a strong genetic affinity among populations in the same language family. Furthermore, the extremely high frequency of H8, a haplotype derived from M122C, in the Sino-Tibetan speaking populations in the Himalayas including Tibet and northeast India indicated a strong bottleneck effect that occurred during a westward and then southward migration of the founding population of Tibeto-Burmans. We, therefore, postulate that the ancient people, who lived in the upper-middle Yellow River basin about 10,000 years ago and developed one of the earliest Neolithic cultures in East Asia, were the ancestors of modem Sino-Tibetan populations.

Flavobacterium anhuiense sp nov., isolated from field soil

A novel strain, D3(T), isolated from a field-soil sample obtained from Anhui Province, PR China, was characterized taxonomically by using a polyphasic approach. The cells were Gram-negative, yellow-pigmented rods devoid of flagella, but showing gliding motility. The organism was able to grow at 5-37 degrees C and at pH 4.0-10.0. A comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain D3(T) is a member of the genus Flavobacterium, sharing highest sequence similarity with the type strain of Flavobacterium defluvii (96.7 %). The major isoprenoid quinone was MK-6 and the predominant fatty acids were iso-C-15:0, summed feature 3 (C-16:1 omega 7c and/or iso-C-15:0 2-OH) and C-16:0. The DNA G + C content was 31.4 mol%. On the basis of phylogenetic and phenotypic data, strain D3(T) represents a novel species within the genus Flavobacterium, for which the name Flavobacterium anhuiense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is D3(T) (=KCTC 22128(T)= CGIVICC 1.6859(T)).

A new species of Amolops (Anura : Ranidae) from Southwest China

A new species of Amolops is described from a mountainous area of southern Yunnan Province, China. The species is unique in having a dark purple dorsum with small light yellow spots. The spots are smaller than the smallest finger disk. Other characters tha

Sleeping sites, sleeping trees, and sleep-related behaviors of black crested gibbons (Nomascus concolor jingdongensis) at Mt. Wuliang, central Yunnan, China

Data on sleep-related behaviors were collected for a group of central Yunnan black crested gibbons (Nomascus concolor jingdongensis) at Mt. Wuliang, Yunnan, China from March 2005 to April 2006. Members of the group usually formed four sleeping units (adult male and juvenile, adult female with one semi-dependent black infant, adult female with one dependent yellow infant, and subadult male) spread over different sleeping trees. Individuals or units preferred specific areas to sleep; all sleeping sites were situated in primary forest, mostly (77%) between 2,200 and 2,400 m in elevation. They tended to sleep in the tallest and thickest trees with large crowns on steep slopes and near important food patches. Factors influencing sleeping site selection were (1) tree characteristics, (2) accessibility, and (3) easy escape. Few sleeping trees were used repeatedly by the same or other members of the group. The gibbons entered the sleeping trees on average 128 min before sunset and left the sleeping trees on average 33 min after sunrise. The lag between the first and last individual entering the trees was on average 17.8 min. We suggest that sleep-related behaviors are primarily adaptations to minimize the risk of being detected by predators. Sleeping trees may be chosen to make approach and attack difficult for the predator, and to provide an easy escape route in the dark. In response to cold temperatures in a higher habitat, gibbons usually sit and huddle together during the night, and in the cold season they tend to sleep on ferns and/or orchids.

Thermus rehai sp nov., isolated from Rehai of Tengchong, Yunnan Province, China

A yellow-pigmented strain of the genus Thermus, with optimum growth temperatures about 65-70 degreesC, was isolated from the hot springs in Rehai of Tengchong, Yunnan Province, China. Morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics, pigment analysis of RH99-GF7504 strain and its phylogenetic analysis of 16S rDNA showed that this organism represented a new species of the genus Thermus(1)). This strain had maximum temperatures for growth below 80 degreesC. The new isolate from Rehai of Tengchong could be distinguished from other strains of the genus Thermus by its special structure and by its inability to hydrolyze gelatin and starch. On the basis of phylogenetic analysis, morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics, the name Thermus rehai sp nov is proposed for the species, represented by strain RH99-GF7504 (CCTCC-AB200292).

Molecular phylogeny of the specialized schizothoracine fishes (Teleostei : Cyprinidae), with their implications for the uplift of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

Molecular phylogeny of three genera containing nine species and subspecies of the specialized schizothoracine fishes are investigated based on the complete nucleotide sequence of mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. Meantime relationships between the main cladogenetic events of the specialized schizothoracine fishes and the stepwise uplift of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau are also conducted using the molecular clock, which is calibrated by geological isolated events between the upper reaches of the Yellow River and the Qinghai Lake. Results indicated that the specialized schizothoracine fishes are not a monophyly. Five species and subspecies of Ptychobarbus form a monophyly. But three species of Gymnodiptychus do not form a monophyly. Gd. integrigymnatus is a sister taxon of the highly specialized schizothoracine fishes while Gd. pachycheilus has a close relation with Gd. dybowskii, and both of them are as a sister group of Diptychus maculatus. The specialized schizothoracines fishes might have originated during the Miocene (about 10 MaBP), and then the divergence of three genera happened during late Miocene (about 8 MaBP). Their main specialization occurred during the late Pliocene and Pleistocene (3.54-0.42 MaBP). The main cladogenetic events of the specialized schizothoracine fishes are mostly correlated with the geological tectonic events and intensive climate shift happened at 8, 3.6, 2.5 and 1.7 MaBP of the late Cenozoic. Molecular clock data do not support the hypothesis that the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau uplifted to near present or even higher elevations during the Oligocene or Miocene, and neither in agreement with the view that the plateau uplifting reached only to an altitude of 2000 in during the late Pliocene (about 2.6 MaBP).

Enhanced protection against oxidative stress in an astaxanthin-overproduction Haematococcus mutant (Chlorophyceae)

Many unicellular green algae can become yellow or red in various natural habitats due to mass accumulation of a secondary carotenoid, such as lutein, or astaxanthin. The accumulation of secondary carotenoids is generally thought to be a survival strategy of the algae under photo-oxidative stress or other adverse environmental conditions. The physiological role of the carotenoids in stress response is less well understood at the subcellular or molecular level. In this study, a stable astaxanthin overproduction mutant (MT 2877) was isolated by chemical mutagenesis of a wild type (WT) of the green microalga Haematococcus pluvialis Flotow NIES-144. MT 2877 was identical to the WT with respect to morphology, pigment composition, and growth kinetics during the early vegetative stage of the life cycle. However, it had the ability to synthesize and accumulate about twice the astaxanthin content of the WT under high light, or under high light in the presence of excess amounts of ferrous sulphate and sodium acetate. Under stress, the mutant exhibited higher photosynthetic activities than the WT, based on considerably higher chlorophyll fluorescence induction, chlorophyll autofluorescence intensities, and oxygen evolution rates. Cell mortality caused by stress was reduced by half in the mutant culture compared with the WT. Enhanced protection of the mutant against stress is attributed to its accelerated carotenogenesis and accumulation of astaxanthin. Our results suggest that MT 2877, or other astaxanthin overproduction Haematococcus mutants, may offer dual benefits, as compared with the wild type, by increasing cellular astaxanthin content while reducing cell mortality during stress-induced carotenogenesis.