@article{mbs:/content/journal/micro/10.1099/00221287-131-4-811, author = "HU, FU-SEN and CLARK, JIM and LOTT, TIM", title = "Recurrent Senescence in Axenic Cultures of Physarum polycephalum", journal= "Microbiology", year = "1985", volume = "131", number = "4", pages = "811-815", doi = "https://doi.org/10.1099/00221287-131-4-811", url = "https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/micro/10.1099/00221287-131-4-811", publisher = "Microbiology Society", issn = "1465-2080", type = "Journal Article", abstract = "When subcultures of the aux-2 and aux-4 strains of Physarum polycephalum, which had been grown for more than four years in axenic shake culture, were transferred to non-axenic surface culture they displayed progressively shorter lifespans (older axenic surface cultures yield shorter lived non-axenic cultures). Similar subcultures transferred to axenic agar medium also underwent senescent-like events. These subcultures, after a period of vigorous growth, displayed a slower growth rate, reduced cytoplasmic streaming, loss of yellow pigment, and eventually they fragmented into a number of small spherical structures with the concomitant lysis of most of the plasmodium. In non-axenic culture these structures quickly degenerated (and disappeared from the culture); however, in axenic culture they revived and after several days produced new vigorous plasmodia. Following a period of vigorous growth the plasmodium again underwent senescent-like events. This cycle of senescence and growth was repeated a number of times before death finally occurred.", }