The effects of 2 μM Hg++ on the ethogram of Euplotes vannus (Ciliata, Hypotrichida)*

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Summary

Strains of Euplotes vannus (a marine hypotrichous ciliate) were treated with 2 μM Hg++. The ethograms of treated and control populations differ due to several traits, which are qualitatively described and quantitatively measured: (a) the creeping of treated populations is more uniform and continuous than that of controls; (b) typical behavioural patterns of controls (the “slow down” and the bursts of “Side Stepping Reaction” — SSR) disappear completely in treated ciliates; (c) the SSR of treated organisms has an average rotation angle of 163° (controls: 84°); (d) the velocity decreases significantly in treated cells (340 μm/s vs 450 um/s). These results are discussed from the point of view of their survival significance.

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    The research was supported by grants from MURST, CRU (Vigoni Program), CNR, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, SFB 171/C7.

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