CARBON DIOXIDE TENSION AND SEXUAL DIFFERENTIATION IN HYDRA

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Abstract
1. One hundred-and 10-hydra cultures of Hydra littoralis and 10-hydra cultures of H. pseudoligactis and H. (sp.) were maintained 14-50 days in culture solutions equilibrated with gas mixtures varying in CO2 content from 0.0% to 5.6%. 2. Two culture solutions and three methods of gassing cultures were used. 3. The results were: a. Asexual H. littoralis began to differentiate sexually within 1-4days under all experimental conditions; initial sexual differentiation was temporary and was often followed by a second period of gonad development. In several experiments, percentages of sexual hydras tended to rise and fall together, regardless of treatment. b. H. littoralis cultures containing 46-72% sexual animals bubbled 22 hours daily with room air or 5% CO2 in air were 95-100% asexual by day 12. Continued bubbling for the next 4 weeks with 5% CO2 in air was as effective as bubbling with room air in maintaining asexuality. c. No sexual differentiation occurred in H. pseudoligactis or H. (sp.) cultures exposed 18 days to elevated pCO2. There was no sexual differentiation in H. pseudoligactis cultures exposed 18 days to room air. However 5% of H. (sp.) in room air were sexual from day 9 to day 13.

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