Germination of Cysts inAcetabularia mediterranea

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Abstract
Techniques for the growth of uniformly reacting populations of cysts ofAcetabularia mediterranea, and for quantitative measurement of cyst germination have been developed. Cysts ofA. mediterranea can be induced to germinate by exposure to the atmosphere. Germination rates are very low in young cysts. They increase during exposure to total darkness. This “maturation of cysts” is found to be completed after a period of 12–15 weeks. Germination rates of cysts that have passed the maturation period exceed 90% in continuous white light and 80% in darkness. Cysts germinate in less than two days in darkness and less than four days in light. The influence of temperature at a range of 15 °C to 25 °C on germination kinetics is studied in light and darkness. Germination is accelerated with increasing temperature up to 21 °C. At higher temperature germination is delayed in light but the time of germination remains constant in darkness. Rates of germination are not altered by the influence of temperature in light while in darkness there is a dramatic decrease at temperatures higher than 21 °C. From these findings it is concluded that cyst germination inA. mediterranea does not need any light but is influenced by light dependent systems. The influence of light is strongest at elevated temperatures.