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Patterns of cell viability in the diatom,Skeletonema costatum, in batch culture and in natural populations

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Abstract

Modifications of previously described histological staining techniques employing neutral red and Evan’s blue were used to investigate patterns of viability ofSkeletonema costatum (Grev.) Cl. in batch culture and in natural populations in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island. Eight to 37% of the cells of this species present in the winter and spring of 1977 were either dead or dormant. Proportions of inactive cells greater than 25% were usually associated with stationary phase in batch culture and with periods of decline in natural populations. Patterns of viability detected by these stains would be very useful in the interpretation of any phytoplankton data based on cell counts in both descriptive and applied studies.

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Gallagher, J.C. Patterns of cell viability in the diatom,Skeletonema costatum, in batch culture and in natural populations. Estuaries 7, 98–101 (1984). https://doi.org/10.2307/1351960

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/1351960

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