Studies on Some Lake-Mud Strains of Micromonospora

Abstract

The strains of M. chalceae isolated from lake-mud were mesophilic aerobic organisms, but proved capable of maintaining viability at 2[degree]C and under conditions of reduced O2 tension. Pigmentation was increased as the result of access to free O2. They were all capable of growth on a large variety of resistant organic compounds, especially chitin, cellulose, and, to a lesser degree, lignin. Paraffin sections of colonies of different ages demonstrated an internal organization characterized by the zonation of sporu-lating material.