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Survival of Arthrobacter crystallopoietes During Prolonged Periods of Extreme Desiccation

^a Exobiology Division, Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California 94035

ABSTRACT

Cells of Arthrobacter crystallopoietes mixed in sand and air-dried have survived for up to 6 months after an initial period in which approximately half the cells lost their viability. Comparative survival curves have been obtained from inoculated sands maintained under CaSO₄ or P₂O₅. Selections for more desiccation-resistant progeny capable of surviving the initial period were unsuccessful. Both the coccoid and rod-shaped forms are equally resistant to several months of desiccation. Desiccated spherical cells converted 0.0005% of their cell carbon to carbon dioxide per hr, which corresponds to a half-life for self-consumption of approximately 12 years.

¹ Present address: Department of Biology, Mason Laboratory, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, N.Y. 12181.

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