GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE MYXOMYCETE PERICHAENA VERMICULARIS. I. CULTIVATION AND VEGETATIVE NUCLEAR DIVISIONS

摘要: The isolation and successful two-membered culture of the homothallic myxomycete Perichaena vermicularis (order Trichiales) is reported for first time. Comparisons mitosis in amoebae, zygotes plasmodia as seen with phase contrast microscopy are made anid distinguishirng features different kinds nuclear behavior discussed. IN RECENT YEARS several investigators have use plasmodial slime molds developmental, physiological, cytological, genetical studies (Guttes, Guttes, Rusch, 1961; Alexopoulos, 1963; Collins,1963; Ross Sunshine, 1965; Aldrich, 1967). Much work has been done on same few species, such Physarum polycephalum, other species Physarum, various Didymium mainly because these among that .been successfully cultured laboratory. reports Alexopoulos (1960), Wollman (1964), McManus (1961, 1962) cultivation belonging to orders indicate Myxomycetes may be under appropriate conditions. In many cases, however, laboratory cultures die out or very difficult maintain. Furthermore, it become evident from investigations mentioned above quite variable not only genera, but also isolates clonal grown It important, therefore, continue isolate attempt cultivate follow throughout their life cycles so patterns variability eventually established. Lacking a foundation experimental results liable misinterpretation, apparent conflicting evidence lead unnecessary controversy. through generatio'ns vermiculdtris laboratory, together details vegetative stages cycle, therefore presented. Details cycle 1 Received publication July 20, 1966. Supported by grant GB-4396 National Science Foundation. technical assistance Mrs. Frances Shrader gratefully acknowledged. sporulation will subsequent paper. 1MJATERIALS AND METHODs-Plasmodiocarps (Schw.) Rost. were found moist chambers unidentified tree bark sent me AMiami, Fla. Spores plasmodiocarps sown oni BBIJ corn meal agar flooded water. Subsequent which formed steer dung-oatmeal extract (DOA) Escher-ichia coli food. plates kept distinct film water covering agar. Amoebal populations larger, more vigorous uniform DOA than -on Observations amoebae small polyethylene ring microcultures described previously (Ross, Chromosome counts killed 65%o acetic acid heat-dried slides before mounting aceto-orcein press). Photographs Zeiss WL microscope equipped optics Kodak High Contrast Copy using Leitz Mikroblitz electronic flash illumination. OBSERVATIONS DISCUSSION-Spore spore cultivation-On P. completed 5-7 days. Spore germination begins 40-70 min after spores agar, microscopic (i.e., Fig. 20) visible 24 hr macroscopic (Fig. 2) 48-72 hr. Sporulation occurs 3-4 days large formed. This maintained 15 generations normal fluctuations light temperature (19-22 C) without gross variation. remained viable at least 3 months, ranging 70-95%, higher percentages being