VARIATIONS AND SPONTANEOUS MUTATIONS IN THE GENUS LISTERIA IN RESPECT TO FLAGELLATION AND MOTILITY

Abstract

Eleven of 81 strains of Listeria monocvtogenes incubated at 20[degree]C showed, variations from the normal peritrichous flagellation and normal motion. The different variants are organisms with straight flagella, no motion; straight flagella, slight motion; slight amplitude flagella, no motion; coiled flagella, fair motion; normal curved flagella, no motion; and organisms without flagella. Incubation up to 12 days demonstrated motile mutants from several of the nonmotile variants, and filamentous mutants with a variety of flagellar types. Mutation rates and stock culture maintenance are discussed.