Abstract
SYNOPSIS. Tokophrya infusionum reproduces by endogenous budding, forming a ciliated embryo within a brood pouch. The embryo is released to the outside medium, where it swims for some time, then undergoes metamorphosis by the formation of a disk, stalk, and tentacles. In one of the clones (E22), 1–2% of the adults display abnormalities during reproduction. In some of the abnormal adults, the embryo is retained inside a greatly enlarged brood pouch and undergoes metamorphosis within the parent; in others, the embryo is not formed, and only a large empty brood pouch appears. Attempts to establish a separate clone composed only of abnormal organisms were unsuccessful, and led to the conclusion that all members of clone E22 are potentially abnormal. Experiments were performed to increase the percentage of abnormal organisms; it was found that overfeeding is one of the factors favoring abnormal reproduction. Physiological and genetic explanations of the abnormality are proposed and discussed.
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