Cultivationin vitroofEndolimax blattaeLucas, 1927 from the cockroach hind gut

Abstract

Endolimax blattae, a small amoeba living in the cockroach hind gut, was cultivatedin vitrofor the first time.Growth and encystment took place in diphasic serum-saline media with or without the addition of starch.E. blattaegrew well at 25 and 37°C. At the latter temperature the flagellates andBlastocystiswhich contaminated recently isolated strains were eliminated.More amoebae and cysts were produced in cultures supplied with starch than in those without starch, and there seemed to be a relationship between depletion of starch and onset of encystment.The results are discussed with reference to conditions in the natural environment.I wish to express my thanks to Professor H. P. Moon, in whose department this work was carried out, for his help and advice, to my supervisor Dr Marjorie G. Guthrie for her advice, encouragement and constructive criticism, and to Dr Ann Bishop, F.R.S., and Dr Elspeth W. McConnachie for their invaluable advice onin vitrocultivation.