Some Physiological Characteristics of the Mating Types and Varieties of Tetrahymena pyriformis*†

SYNOPSIS. Differences in temperature‐tolerance, generation time, nutritional requirements, osmoresistance, pigment production, and sensitivity to high hydrogen or hydroxyl ion concentration have been observed among varieties, and among mating types within varieties of Tetrahymena pyriformis. The usefulness of these differences to taxonomists and geneticists is discussed. The nutrition of a temperature‐tolerant strain, mating type II, variety 1, was given special attention and a chemicallydefined medium devised to support rapid growth at 35d̀ C. At 40d̀, growth in this medium failed, but was good in a crude medium. Temperature factors are suggested. Permeability of this ciliate, as inferred by utilization of nucleotides, was high.