Ref ID : 3783
George William Salt; Changes in the Cell Volume of Didinium nasutum During Population Increase. J.Protozool. 22(1):112-115, 1975
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In 3 species of carnivorous protozoa, the rate of individual food intake per generation declines with an increase in the density of the population. In all, the rate of division remains constant. Three hypotheses may be proposed to explain these phenomena: the individual size decreases, thus bringing about a decline in food need; the individuals in the earlier stages of population growth consume excess food which is passed on to later generations to supplement their food intake; an increase in density within the carnivore population decreases the activity rate, thus reducing the food requirement. Experiments using Didinium nasutum as the carnivore and Paramecium aurelia, syngen 4, as the food source were conducted to test these 3 hypotheses. The results contradicted the 1st hypothesis and part of the 2nd. A new working hypothesis based on the remaining hypotheses is proposed.