Abstract
A vigorous strain of Tintinnopsis beroidea was established in vitro by mixing several isolates obtained during the period January to March, 1969. More than 1,000 cells/ml were routinely obtained within a few weeks. On one occasion 3,000 cells/ml were obtained in just over a month. The period required for ciliate populations to double was 2.5 to 6 days. Growth curve data has been obtained with cultures receiving single doses of food at the time the flasks were inoculated with protozoa. The initial concentration of food had a noticeable effect on ciliate growth. Excessive amounts of food were somewhat inhibitory; insufficient amounts resulted in rapid starvation. Conjugation patterns characteristic of wild populations of tintinnids were not observed. However, there was evidence of sexual activity in the cultures: (1) pairing of cells occurred; (2) protrusions were seen in the oral region indicative of preconjugation activity; (3) very high cell yields and rapid division rates were obtained after more than 1.5 years in culture.
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Communicated by J. Bunt, Miami
This work was supported by a contract with the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, Ref. No. NYO-3658-24.
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Gold, K. Growth characteristics of the mass-reared tintinnid Tintinnopsis beroidea . Marine Biology 8, 105–108 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00350925
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00350925