Abstract
Spirilla measuring 0.25 to 0.30 µ in diameter and generally 5 to 10 µ in length were selectively isolated from pond and stream water. The isolation procedure involved the use of cellulose ester filter discs (0.45 µ pore size) which allowed the thin spirilla to migrate onto the surface of culture plates, but retained larger organisms. The spirilla isolated formed distinctive subsurface, spreading, semi-transparent colonies. The organisms exhibited a microaerophilic behavior; however, they did not grow anaerobically. Nutritional studies indicated that amino acids served both as carbon and nitrogen sources for the organisms and that organic acids and carbohydrates were suitable as carbon sources. NH4Cl was utilized poorly as a nitrogen source and KNO3 not at all. An exogenous supply of vitamins was not needed for growth. On the basis of their cell diameter, their microaerophilic growth and other physiological characteristics, the spirilla could not be identified with any of the previously described species of the genusSpirillum. It is proposed that these thin spirilla be recognized as a new species to be designatedSpirillum gracile.
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Canale-Parola, E., Rosenthal, S.L. & Kupfer, D.G. Morphological and physiological characteristics ofSpirillum gracile sp.n.. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 32, 113–124 (1966). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02097451
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02097451