THE EFFECTS OF TEMPERATURE AND SALINITY CHANGE ON SWIMMING RATE IN THE DINOFLAGELLATES, GONYAULAX AND GYRODINIUM

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Abstract
An electronic apparatus is de-cribed which makes rapid measurements of linear velocity and rate of change of direction in the motile microorganism. With this apparatus it was determined that Gonyaulax has a constant swimming rate of approximately 250 [mu]/sec. at 20 C[degree], while Gyrodinium cells show a mean linear velocity of 319 [mu]/sec. at this temperature. Both forms maintain a relatively constant plateau of velocity through a wide range of salinities Gonyaulax maintaining a plateau above 225 [mu]/sec. from 120% culture medium (34 %o) through 70% medium (20 %o), while the slightly higher plateau of Gyrodinium was also maintained over a wider range (34%o to 7%o). In both species velocity was maintained through a wide temperature range, Gyrodinium again having the widest tolerance, as one might expect in a species of its habit. These results are discussed in relation to the known ecology of the 2 organisms.