HYPHAL ANASTOMOSIS AND CYTOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF STREPTOMYCES SCABIES

Abstract

Two strains of Streptomyces scabies and a Streptomyces sp., strain T12, have been studied for hyphal anastomosis and its cytological consequences. The presence of multiple short hyphal bridges between neighboring hyphae and the absence of demonstrable cell walls or membranes at the points of contact are presented as evidence for anastomosis. The formation of "initial cells", as a result of hyphal fusion, was not observed. Two types of swollen bodies, deeply stained by the acid-Giemsa method, were noted. One type, identified as the residue of the parent spore, passed through a stage during which it did not stain by this method but subsequently became highly chromatinic. The second type was always terminal and developed concurrently with or subsequent to "secondary mycelium". Aerial hyphae were observed to arise directly from "primary mycelium" in S. scabies. Hyphae with cytological characteristics intermediate between primary and secondary types were observed in Streptomyces sp. T12.