ACTINOMYCETES IN LAKE MUDS - DORMANT SPORES OR METABOLICALLY ACTIVE MYCELIUM

Homogenization and ultrasonication experiments on samples of lake muds indicated that Micromonospora strains were present as a mixture of mycelium and spores. Strains of streptomycetes and nocardioforms appeared to be in the form of arthrospores or fragmentation spores, respectively. Micromonospora strains originally isolated from lakes were able to grow in native and enriched muds incubated in the laboratory. Numbers of streptomycetes and nocardioforms did not increase in these muds and are presumed to be relatively inactive in this habitat. Micromonospora strains may have an active role in the lacustrine environment and in soil.