Data on the unique prokaryotic organism Acaryochloris marina, which synthesizes chlorophyll d as a primary (above 95% of total chlorophyll) photosynthetic pigment supporting oxygenic photosynthesis, were reviewed. Due to its spectral properties, A. marina efficiently uses near infrared light for photosynthesis. Information on photosynthetic apparatus characteristics, structure and organization of photosystems, and the light-harvesting complex of A. marina, its distribution in the nature, and lifestyles in vivo were reported.

Keywords: chlorophyll d, Acaryochloris marina, photosystem I, photosystem II, reaction center, light-harvesting antenna, oxygenic photosynthesis

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