STUDY OF A PLAQUE VARIATION OF BACILLUS MEGATERIUM PHAGE

Abstract

A variation in plaque type of Bacillus megaterium phage ψ16Bcl is described. The host culture for this study was an asporogenic strain of B. megaterium No. 1. The investigation revealed that the cause of the variation is lysogenization, which gives rise to two variants called M-1 and M-2. Some of their characteristics are described. The results suggest that the parent-type phage perpetuates itself during lytic cycles of reproduction, and gives rise to variant phage when it lysogenizes the host.