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New evidence for the mechanism of phototactic orientation ofEuglena gracilis

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Abstract

When rotated horizontally in a cuvette in a strong lateral light beam, the flagellateEuglena gracilis effectively corrects its course and shows negative phototaxis, provided the angular velocity does not exceed 200s−1. Faster rotations cannot be corrected effeciently. In two strong light beams of equal illuminance perpendicular to each other, the cells move along the resultant away from the light beams. Decreasing the illuminance of one beam causes increasing numbers of the organisms to orient with respect to the stronger light source. In two perpendicular low illuminance beams (>200lx), the population splits into two components moving towards either light source. The percentage of cells in each component depends on the relative illuminances. The results can be explained by the shading hypothesis combined with a dichroic orientation of the photoreceptor molecules perpendicular to the long axis of the cells. Externally applied electric dc fields have no effect on positive or negative phototaxis; this supports the hypothesis that electrical potential changes are not involved in the sensory transduction chain of photoorientation inEuglena.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fachbereich Biologie-Botanik, Philipps-Universität, Kal v. Frisch Str., D-3550, Marburg, FRG

    Donat-P. Häder, Michael Lebert & Maria Rosaria Di Lena

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  1. Donat-P. Häder
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  2. Michael Lebert
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  3. Maria Rosaria Di Lena
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Häder, DP., Lebert, M. & Di Lena, M.R. New evidence for the mechanism of phototactic orientation ofEuglena gracilis . Current Microbiology 14, 157–163 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01568368

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