STRUCTURE AND REPRODUCTION OF THE ALGAL SYMBIONTS OF HYDRA VIRIDIS1

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Abstract
The algal symbionts of Hydra viridis are found within vacuoles of the gastro-dermal digestive cells of the host. Electron microscopy reveals that the symbionts possess cell walls, and that their reproductive cycle follows the general pattern of free-living Chlorella. Nuclear and chloro-plast divisions are followed by formation of new cell walls, the Golgi apparatus being quite active during cell wall synthesis. Autospores are released when the parent wall ruptures. The autospores are then usually segregated into separate animal vacuoles. Remnants of the ruptured parent wall persist in the vacuoles for an indefinite period. The ruptured parent walls curl at the breakage clefts, forming double-layered scroll-like structures. The fate of these wall remnants has not been firmly established. Long-term starvation of the animals does not result in a detectable change in the structure of the symbionts, and they continue to divide and to store carbohydrate as starch grains.

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