Two Possible Barriers Blocking Conjugation Between Different Megakaryotypes of Blepharisma

We investigated mating pair formation between three Blepharisma species Blepharisma undulans, Blepharisma japonicum, and Blepharisma stoltei to determine whether their respective gamones (mating pheromones) effectively induce mating pairs between different species. Cell-free fluid from type II cells (CFF2) of B. undulans (megakaryotype II) induced pairing of B. japonicum and B. stoltei type I cells (megakaryotype IV), and CFF2 of B. japonicum and B. stoltei induced pairing of B. undulans type I cells. Cell-free fluid from B. undulans type I cells (CFF1) did not induce pairing of B. japonicum and B. stoltei type II cells, and CFF1 of B. japonicum and B. stoltei failed to induce pairing of B. undulans. CFF1 from B. japonicum and B. stoltei mutually induced pairing, as previously reported. These results indicate that gamone 2 is common among megakaryotypes II and IV, and that gamone 1 appears to be at least megakaryotype-specific. When cells belonging to megakaryotypes II and IV are separately pre-treated with effective gamones and mixed, mating pairs between megakaryotypes rarely form. Taken together, these results suggest at least two barriers, a gamone and a factor involved in pair formation, that prevent conjugation between different megakaryotypes of Blepharisma.