Multinuclear stages of the life cycle ofAcetabularia mediterranea

Summary The reproductive stages of the life cycle ofAcetabularia mediterranea have been studied in Feulgen-stained material. Light-microscopical photographs of secondary nuclei, cyst formation, gamete formation, gamete release, zygote formation and early development of the germlings are presented. The time course of cytological events during gamete formation is described. Mitoses are found between 16 and 24 hours after the induction of cyst germination.The author is indebted to Mrs. S.Artelt who helped with the prepration of the specimens and the photographs.