Spore-like Bodies Research Articles

A GEOMICROBIOLOGIGAL STUDY OF THE PRE-CAMBRIAN NONESUCH SHALE

Summary The paper describes the organic content of specimens representing some part of the Nonesuch Shale of Upper Keweenawan age (1,075 ± 50 million years) forming part of the Copper Belt on the southern flanks of the Lake Superior Basin in Ontonagon County, Michigan. The remarkably well preserved organic matter has been studied optically in thin section, by acid maceration analysis, and separately, in ultrathin section of isolated organic matter, by electron microscopy. The amorphous organic groundmass consists of saprophytic microbiological degradation products which include spore-like bodies or “sporomorphs” (acritarchs) in various stages of degradation, with attacking microorganisms often in situ. The further microorganism content resembles morphologically bacteria, actinomycetes or fungi and the total organic content represents an ecosystem. The remarkable mattes of tissue composed of larger fungi are predominantly oriented with the bedding on the organic-rich elements of paired, laminated or varved deposits. The remains constitute an assemblage which recalls that of Moore (1964a) in which forms such as Anthracomyces cannellensis , Palynomorphites and “ Phellomyces ” were shown to be instrumental in organic degradation. This process now demonstrated from a Pre-Cambrian environment is one with an antiquity of at least a thousand million years and suggests that conditions with regard to physico-chemical-biological constitution and related environmental parameters have been comparable over this time period. The paper supports the general sedimentological conclusions of White and Wright (1954) concerning the depositional environment but deduces a tidal lagoon or mud flat environment of Pre-Cambrian age. The organic assemblage, the biological process of degradation and the characteristics of the sedimentary environment are compared with known geological and recent examples of laminated or varved, lacustrine; tidal lagoon and mud flat environments. Reference is made to the geochemical characteristics of some of these related sediments in an attempt to reach a more pertinent assessment of the Pre-Cambrian environment, and of the periodicity of events which the Nonesuch sediments display.

OBSERVATION ON THE ECOLOGY AND REPRODUCTION OF FREE-LIVING CONCHOCELIS OF PORPHYRA TENERA

1. Free-living Conchocelis colonies under long-day conditions produce several types of reproductive bodies from which new Conchocelis colonies originate, revealing a new part of the life-cycle.2. Three reproductive structures were observed and described: (a) inflated spherical cells; (b) strawberry-like structures; (c) special (SI).3. The inflated spherical cells discharge single spores which develop Conchocelis colonies.4. The interior cells of the strawberry-like structures and unicellular spore-like bodies discharged by disintegration of the structure produce germ tubes, and grow into Conchocelis colonies.5. These Conchocelis colonies produce monosporangia and liberate the monospores that germinate into normal leafy thalli under short-day conditions. The spherical cells and the strawberry-like structures were produced on Conchocelis branches at temperatures higher than 18° C. and under long-day conditions (subdued light).6. The spores liberated from sporangia (SI) formed under long-day cond...

Spore formation and 'dimorphism' in the mycobacteria.

SUMMARY In studying 8 strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and 7 strains of atypical mycobacteria all 15 were found to produce, in addition to the typical acid-fast cells, non acid-fast ones, which gradually developed intracellular spore-like bodies; later free-lying spores were seen in the same cultures. This process occurred in heavily inoculated Löwenstein–Jensen medium cultures, which were at least 8 weeks old and were frequently aerated during incubation. With the atypical mycobacteria it occurred more readily in cultures in Kirschner fluid medium than on solid media. When the cultures containing spores were inoculated on nutrient agar plates, endospore-forming, rapidly growing organisms were obtained, which were not acid-fast. These organisms when obtained from independent cultures of the same strain appeared to be identical in bacillary and colonial morphology at their first isolation on nutrient agar, but the organisms from different strains showed variation in these characters. Thus mycobacteria appear able to grow in two different forms: (a) form 1, which is acid-fast and multiplies by fission only; (b) form 2, which is not acid-fast, produces endospores regularly and can be maintained in pure culture on nutrient agar. A series of phases of development of form 2 cells in the cultures of form 1 organisms in serial smear examination of Löwenstein–Jensen medium cultures is described. It is suggested that mycobacteria might be considered as dimorphic organisms in the same sense as some of the human pathogenic fungi are known to be dimorphic. Evidence is submitted that form 2 organisms are not contaminants.

The interpretation of certain morphological appearances in a Streptomyces sp.

SUMMARY: Branches of the primary mycelium of a Streptomyces sp. were observed, by phase-contrast microscopy of living material, to form apparent anastomoses. No enlarged structures capable of interpretation as ‘initial cells’ were detected. It is suggested that certain of the large ‘spore-like bodies’ described by previous workers in studies upon Streptomyces spp. may represent protoplasts.

Atypical Forms of Tubercle Bacilli (Strain B.C.G.)

ATYPICAL forms (granules, globules, spore-like bodies) of M. tuberculosis have been observed by many investigators since Koch's time1–9. In the present investigation the B.C.G. strain of M. tuberculosis grown on ‘Tween’–agar blocks was studied by means of the light- and phase-contrast microscope.

Electronmicrography of Treponemas from Cases of Yaws, Pinta, and the So-Called Cuban form of Pinta

SummaryThe morphologic and structural findings made with the electron microscope in unshadowed as well as in shadow-cast specimens of treponemas from typical cases of yaws, pinta and the so-called Cuban form of pinta are presented. Thirty Treponema pertenue and nine T. carateum specimens as well as eighty-nine Treponema sp. specimens from a case of the Cuban form of pinta constituted the material studied. No differences in morphology or structure were detected among these species or with regard to T. pallidum, except for the lack of flagella shown by T. pertenue specimens which was probably an artifact. Measurements of length and diameter of treponemas were obtained. Several examples of pseudostructures are shown, some of which have a bearing upon the significance of spore-like bodies and end bodies.

An Undescribed Lagenidium Parasitic Upon Potamogeton

Phycomycetous parasites in the root hairs of terrestrial plants have been reported in numerous instances, but the presence of these organisms in the root hairs of aquatic plants has been largely overlooked. This paucity of records may be due to the fact that, until recently, the presence of root hairs on the great majority of aquatic plants had not been realized. Consequently, it is of interest to record the occurrence of a Phycomycete parasite infecting the root hairs of a true aquatic and causing a marked hypertrophy of these structures. In May 1941, Dr. W. C. Muenscher of this University called the writer's attention to a collection of seedlings of Potamogeton spirillus Tuckerman with root hairs showing curious pyriform or spherical swellings. Many of these swollen hairs were hyaline and completely empty, but spore-like bodies which resembled Pythium oogonia were present in a few. There was, however, no trace of any mycelium in either the root hairs or the cells of the root. Further search revealed root hairs in which the protoplasmic contents had apparently been incorporated into an amoeboid mass lying in the swollen tip of the hair. These lobulated masses were immediately suggestive of the thalli of the Lagenidiaceae. During the course of the preliminary study, one of these amoeboid thalli produced a number of zoospores; but it was not possible at the time to ascertain definitely the flagellation of these swarmers. A second collection of more mature seedlings taken from the same locality on July 2, 1941, showed an occasional infected root hair; but in this instance, only the amoeboid thalli were present, and zo6spore discharge was not observed. Obviously the affinities of this organism could only be determined by a careful study of its zo6spores. With this in mind, another collection was made from

THE INDUCED DEVELOPMENT OF NON-ACID-FAST FORMS OF BACILLUS TUBERCULOSIS AND OTHER MYCO-BACTERIA

Six strains of mycobacteria,-three human strains, Saranac H-37, T. S., and No. 90, a bovine strain, B-1, a smegma strain, No. 74, and a Saranac strain of B. phlei,-have been made to grow as non-acid-fast organisms by the addition to the culture media of a filtered extract of the chromogenic H-37 strain of B. tuberculosis. The action of the extract produced acceleration of growth of the treated culture, followed by macroscopic and microscopic changes, and differentiation into non-acid-fast forms. The bacterial forms grown from these treated cultures were pleomorphic, usually consisting of cocci and small rods; but branching forms and spore-like bodies also developed. The sterility of the extract causing the changes was demonstrated by frequent control inoculations on various media, including Kendall's K medium; and autoclaved extracts had the same effects as non-autoclaved. After transfer to media suitable for acid growths four of the strains reverted not only to acid-fastness but to their original cultural characteristics, providing evidence that the non-acid-fast forms were specific for the strain.

On the Reproduction of some Marine Diatoms

The subject of the production within Diatoms of spores, en docysts, &c., has been worked at by several observers, principally Castracane in recent years, and before him O'Meara and Rabenhorst. Some of these observers have noted ciliated, spore-like bodies, probably parasitic or casual intrusive organisms; others, notably Castracane, have recorded oval and other cysts winch have not been figured and the characters of which are difficult to realise. Miquel has made an experimental examination of the subject without being able to confirm Castracane's results. Castracane has also recorded the presence, as he thinks, of “gonids or embryonal forms” within a fossil Diatom (Coscinodiscus punctatus) in a marine deposit of miocene age. During March of this year I tow-netted near the Bell Rock a large quantity of Coscinodiscus concinnus — with many dead valves separated at the girdle. These frequently contained not only other and smaller individuals of the same species, but other species of diatoms and casual objects as well, and the observation makes one cautious about accepting evidence of the character brought forward by Castracane as to his fossil form.Lauder, in describing forms of Bacteriastrum and Chœtoceros, observed the formation of endocysts. “At certain times, or under certain circumstances, the endochrome does not divide after the lengthening of the frustule, but secretes a siliceous envelope and becomes a gonidium or sporangium, consisting of a cell with two rounded ends, and a connecting hoop, one end being smaller than the other ….

ALGOLOGICAL NOTES. NO. 3; SPORE-LIKE BODIES IN CLOSTERIUM

Journal Article ALGOLOGICAL NOTES. NO. 3; SPORE-LIKE BODIES IN CLOSTERIUM Get access A. W. BENNETT A. W. BENNETT Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar Annals of Botany, Volume os-6, Issue 1, April 1892, Pages 150–152, https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.aob.a090663 Published: 01 April 1892

Scientific Serials

THE American Journal of Science, April.—On the use of carbon bisulphide in prisms, being an account of experiments made by the late Dr. Henry Draper of New York. The results so far obtained by Dr. Draper in his investigations on the cause of the difficulties encountered in the use of carbon bisulphide in prisms seemed so valuable and so likely to prove useful to others engaged in photographing the prismatic spectrum that it was decided to publish them in the American Journal of Science. With the assistance of Mrs. Draper, Mr. George F. Barker was accordingly requested to collect from Dr. Draper's copious notes the facts here detailed in connection with his experiments. Some supplementary measurements have also been made to test the efficiency of the apparatus.—The genus Pyrgulifera, Meek, and its associates and congeners, by Charles A. White. These molluscan forms, constituting the Bear River Laramic fauna of the author, are not found among any other North American fauna, either fossil or recent, but appear to have their congeners in a fauna still surviving in Lake Tanganyika, Central Africa, as well as in the Upper Cretaceous fresh-water deposits of Hungary. —On the occurrence of native mercury in the alluvium in Louisiana, by Ernest Wilkinson. Native mercury has recently been unexpectedly discovered at Cedar Grove Plantation, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, where it is found disseminated in small globules in the mean proportion of 0.002934 per cent, throughout the alluvial soil. It also occurs elsewhere in the same region in such large quantities and under such general conditions that its presence can hardly be attributed to human agency. Yet no other explanation is offered of this curious phenomenon.—Remarks on the series of earthquakes that have recently devastated the southern provinces of Spain, by C. G. Rockwood, jun.—On the structure of the spores or spore-like bodies (Sporangites huronensis of Sir J. W. Dawson) occurring in the Devonian formations of North America, by J. M, Clarke.—Denudation of the two Americas, by T. Mellard Reade. In this paper the author follows up the calculations already made.by him regarding the quantity of matter annually removed in river water from the surface in England and Wales and some of the river basins of the European continent. Here the Mississippi, Amazons, and St. Lawrence basins are dealt with, the results confirming the provisional assumption that about 100 tons of rocky matter are dissolved by rain per English square mile per annum throughout the world.—On Arctic Interglacial Periods, by Dr. James Croll. It is argued that the Polar Interglacial periods were more marked than the Glacial, and that they neither did nor could exist simultaneously in both hemispheres. In a concluding note the author remarks that this will probably be his last paper on questions relating to geological climate, advancing years and declining health obliging him to abandon the subject in order to finish some work in a different field of inquiry which has been laid aside for over a quarter of a century.—Notes on some apparently undescribed forms of fresh-water Infusoria, No. 2 (with Plate III.), by Dr. Alfred C. Stokes.—Palæozoic notes; new genus of Cambrian Trilobites Mesonacis, by Charles D. Walcott.