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The occurrence of gas-vacuolate bacteria in lakes

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Abstract

In order to assess the importance of gas vacuoles in planktonic bacteria we carried out a survey of 35 lakes of different types. At least 39 morphologically distinct species of gas-vacuolate bacteria were encountered. All of the freshwater lakes, and one of two seawater-flooded quarries, which became thermally stratified in summer, contained gas-vacuolate bacteria in their anaerobic hypolimnia; however, with one exception, none was found in isothermally mixed lakes. This pattern of distribution supports the idea that gas vacuoles are important in providing buoyancy, a function which is relevant only in non-turbulent aquatic systems.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Marine Science Laboratories, University College of North Wales, Department of Marine Biology, Menai Bridge, LL59 5EH, Gwynedd, Wales, UK

    Alison E. Clark & A. E. Walsby

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  1. Alison E. Clark
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  2. A. E. Walsby
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Clark, A.E., Walsby, A.E. The occurrence of gas-vacuolate bacteria in lakes. Arch. Microbiol. 118, 223–228 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00429109

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00429109

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