The Adaptation of Heterotrophic Microcosms to Different Temperatures

Heterotrophic microcosms were developed at a variety of temperatures from 2°C to 75°C, using as inocula a mixed microbial flora from a wide variety of sources. Even after extensive cross—seeding, each microcosm developed a characteristic flora and fauna, showing that temperature alone is able to control species conposition. Experiments using C 1 4 — clucose showed that the microcosms through the range 25°—75°C were optimally adapted to the temperature at which they were developed. Those developed at temperatures below 25°C were not optimally adapted.