A simple technique for establishing axenic cultures of centric diatoms from resting stage cells in bottom sediments

Abstract:

We devised a simple and rapid technique for establishing axenic cultures of centric diatoms by sieving and washing resting stage cells. This technique is an effective means for establishing the axenic cultures of species that have endogenous resting spores. The primary advantage of this method is in the isolation of cells when the target species is absent from the water column.

Key Words::

• Axenic culture
• Diatom
• Resting stage cell
• Vegetative cell

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We are grateful to Associate Professor Atsushi Yamaguchi (Hokkaido University) for his kind support and advice during the course of this study. Sincere thanks are due to Dr Masahiro Ueno (Kyoto University), Mr Keigo Yamamoto (Osaka Prefecture) and Dr Tomotaka Shiraishi (Wakayama Prefecture) for collecting sediment samples. We thank Dr Vera Trainer (NOAA) and Mr Nobuharu Inaba (Hokkaido University) for their assistance in revising the manuscript.