Studies on the Fauna of Some Thermal Springs in the Dutch East Indies

Abstract

The author visited 16 hot springs and one sulphur lake in Sumatra, Java, and the Celebes. Each is descr., and data regarding pH, temp., etc. presented. Identifications of animals col-lected are combined with previous reports in a complete fauna list for the thermal waters of this region. The types found are generally similar to those of N. American hot springs. In both regions there is a marked difference in the inhabitants of thermal waters of temps. up to c. 50[degree]C and those of c. 85[degree]C. At the higher temp. only blue-green algae and bacteria are found, while the max. tolerance of more complex forms remains at about 50 [degree]C; the hypothesis is favored that heat disintegration of mitochondria sets the 50[degree]C limit for the more complex forms.