A taxonomic study of the genus Spirillum Ehrenberg

Abstract

Organisms isolated from fresh and inter-tidal sea water as well as from existing collections were used. By means of enriched cultivation, the organisms were maintained in the laboratory. The methods of cultivation and other techniques are described. The organisms were investigated from the point of view of physiology, nutrition, cytology, dissociation, life cycles, pleomor-phism and taxonomy. As a result of these studies, 2 new varieties and 10 new species are described and named. Type cultures of these organisms have been deposited in the American Type Culture Collection. The 2 new varieties are Spirillum serpens var. azotum and S. itersonii var. vulgatum. The 10 new species are S. linum, S. linatum, S. curvatum, S. polymorphum, S. anulus, S. giesbergeri, S. beijerinckii, S. atlanticum, S. graniferum and S. sinuosum. A key to the species of the genus is presented.