Transmission of a genetic trait through total conjugation in a hypotrich ciliateParaurostyla weissei. Genetic basis of the multi-left-marginal mutant

Abstract
SUMMARY: The genetic basis of slow growth rate and aberrations in the ciliary pattern was studied in the multi-left-marginal variant ofParaurostyla weissei. The 3:1 segregation in F2 sibling crosses and 1:1 segregation in test crosses indicate that the aberrant phenotype is controlled by a recessive allele at a single gene locus termedmlm. The phenotypic change from wild type tomlmtakes place about 5–8 cell cycles after conjugation. The study established that total conjugation inP. weisseiis a true sexual process in which meiosis, fertilization and Mendelian segregation occur.