INFLUENCE OF TRICHOME LENGTH ON LINEAR TRANSLATION IN OSCILLATORIA PRINCEPS (CYANOPHYCEAE) 1

Motile trichomes of Oscillatoria princeps Voucher were examined to determine the relationship between trichome length and the ability to glide through hardened or viscous media. A minimum length for movement in solid media was found to be 0.1 mm in 0.5% agar (w/v).Viscous media tests revealed that coordinated movements through methyl cellulose media were not seen in trichomes 15–40 μ long at the viscosity employed. The minimum length motility increases with the viscosity of the medium and the gliding rates observed are greater in longer trihomes. These findings are discussed in relation to trichome surface area and the hypothesis that the motility system is restricted to lateral surfaces of the trichome .