Flagellated actinomycetes

Abstract

Shadowed motile elements from actinomycetes were observed with an electron microscope. Included were three strains of Actinoplanes, two of Ampullariella, two of Dermatophilus, two of Spirillospora, and four of "Nocardia" turbata. In addition, three types of previously undescribed actionmycetes were represented: (i) the C(4) group (four strains) forming substrate mycelium breaking into motile rods; (ii) strain 9-41, forming Microellobosporia-like sporangia with motile spores; and (iii) strain P(2), forming aerial hyphae releasing motile cocci when put in water. All the known chemical cell wall types of actinomycetes except the Nocardia asteroides type and the Actinomyces israeli type were represented in this array of motile actinomycetes. Motile elements were, depending on the genus, cocci, rods (often curved), or pyriform. Flagella were always in tufts (or single), never peritrichous. A relationship seems to exist between the location of the tuft and the cell wall composition. The spores of one strain of Actinoplanes were herniated, thus resembling plasmoptysis forms of bacteria.