In situ and experimental evidence of the influence of turbulence on cell division processes ofPeridinium cinctumformawestii(Lemm.) Lefèvre

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Abstract
Comparison of the diel variations of the wind intensity and the division rate (DR) of Peridinium cinctum forma westii (Lemm.) Lefèvre in situ reveals that the intensity of the wind blowing throughout the whole day does not affect the DR. On the other hand, a strong inhibitory effect is noticed when the wind episodes occur during the time period 18.00–02.00 h. Systematic hourly sampling and staining of Peridinium cells showed that nuclear division takes place between 23.00 and 02.00 h and is completed before cytokinesis begins. Thus the time period 18.00–02.00 h corresponds to the premitotic and mitotic phases of cell division, and the turbulence generated by the wind affects the process of nuclear division. The relationship between water turbulence and the DR of Peridinium which was observed in Lake Kinneret (Israel) has been checked under experimental conditions. Peridinium was grown without shaking, with continuous rotary shaking and with intermittent shaking at 100 r min-1. The specific growth rate (k), generation time (G) and mortality rate were followed and compared. The results obtained confirm the facts observed in situ and clarify some aspects. Intermittent shaking of 2 h day-1 during the dark phase reveals the inhibitory effect of agitation on nuclear division. Continuous shaking causes a high rate of cell mortality. Shaking during the light period does not affect the division process. The effect of turbulence on the DR of Peridinium explains why the timing of the bloom in Lake Kinneret is a function of the duration and intensity of the mixing period in the lake.