SYMBIOSIS OF HYDRA AND ALGAE. I. EFFECTS OF SOME ENVIRONMENTAL CATIONS ON GROWTH OF SYMBIOTIC AND APOSYMBIOTIC HYDRA

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Abstract
In preparation for studies on the effect of symbiotic algae on growth of Chlorohydra viridissima, it was necessary first to control environmental variables affecting growth, of which the most critical are environmental ions. In a solution contain containing 10-3 [image] Ca and Na, 10-4 K and M ions, and 10-3 [image] "Tris" buffer, pH 7.6, and daily feeding on Artemia nauplii, the growth rate of C. viridissima was exponential with a mean value of 0.42 [plus or minus] 0.06. Magnesium and K ions were not essential for growth but enhanced growth rates and their reproducibility. Calcium and Na ions were essential. The effects of their deficiencies were noted. Both symbiotic and aposymbiotic hydra grew at nearly identical rates as long as they were well fed. Differential effects of high Ca concentrations and low Na concentrations on symbiotic and aposymbiotic hydra were also noted.

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