The Gonidial Stages in Spirillum spp. and Vibrio spp.

SUMMARY: In twelve strains, comprising three species of saprophytic Spirillum and two of Vibrio, a life cycle was observed in which small gonidia, resembling very tiny bacteria, sometimes motile by means of polar flagella, were formed within enlarged mother-cells. After a period of reproduction in this phase, the gonidia became progressively enlarged to reconstitute the original form. In one species of Spirillum, the cycle was induced by the addition of penicillin to the medium, and in this and certain other respects was reminiscent of the L-cycle.