[Morphogenesis and function of gas caps on spores of anaerobic bacteria of the genus Clostridium].

Contrary to other bacteria, those belonging to the genus Clostridium have their formation of vacuoles being strictly confined to the stage of spore production. In Clostridium, gas vacuoles are formed in the intraexosporial space, i. e. in the cytoplasm between the exosporial membrane and spore coats. Gas caps, being conical accumulations of gas vacuoles, impart increased floatation to spores and favour therefore their distribution in nature. Consequently, Clostridium species have ecological advantage if they can form gas vacuoles. The function of the exosporium and specific rod-shaped appendices of spore coats is discussed.