The value of the adenylate energy charge [(ATP)+1/2(ADP)/(ATP)+(ADP)+(AMP)] in Azotobacter vinelandii cells was monitored during growth and germination in flask cultures. The miximal value of 0.88 was attained during mid-log phase; this declined gradually to 0.50 by late stationary phase. When these cultures were transferred to encystment media, the adenylate energy charge decreased to an average value of 0.40 as the vegetative cells encysted and remained unchanged during the next 20 days. Encystment cultures wre composed of vegetative cells, encysting cells and mature cysts but the proportionate value of the energy charge could be assigned. Viability of the total population remained 95% or higher during the entire period studied. Azotobacter vinelandii cysts cultivated on phosphate-sufficient media. Although cell protein and nucleic acids were unaffected by phosphate deficiency, cell wall structures, oxygen uptake and sncystment were significantly affected. Phosphate-limited cysts contained much larger amounts of poly-beta-hydroxybutyric acid but had a lower adenylate energy charge than did control cysts. The ATP/ADP ratio was much lower in phosophate-deficient cysts than in the control cysts. The data indicate a "substrate saving" choice of three metabolic pathways available to cells of Azotobacter under different growth conditions.

The classification of the Azotobacteraceae to the level of genus and species has been uncertain since the studies of Beijerinck in 1901. This dissertation represents an effort to establish a system of classification more complete than the one now in use. In this study, both qualitative and quantitative taxonomy were used in order to establish a well founded classification scheme. Qualitative methods included certain important morphological and physiological characteristics, isoenzyme patterns, and immunological reactions. Quantitative methods included numerical taxonomy (based on total morphological and physiological characteristics) and numerical analysis of protein profiles. All the data from these experiments were subject to comparison with other genotypic and phenotypic data.

Twenty-eight species of zooplankton were identified from Lake Texoma. Seasonal density of the overall microcrustacean community and seasonal cycles of individual species were compared with northern populations and any available literature from the Southwest. Cycles of occurrence and abundance were similar to those observed in northern populations but tended to occur earlier in the year due to higher temperatures. Spatial distributions within the reservoir were heavily influenced by nutrient and salt input from the Red River, which resulted in dense populations in the Red River Arm. In addition, during the summer, the microcrustacean community was restricted to the epilimnion due to anoxic conditions in the hypolimnion of the reservoir.

Genic data from two chromosomal races of Geomys bursarius from a contact zone in central Texas indicated that the two races possessed distinct gene pools which would define them as separate species. Data from proteins encoded from 21 loci in this study substantiated this hypothesis. A pattern of alternately fixed alleles at the ADH-l, MDH-2, LDH-l, and IDH-1 loci with no apparent gene flow in zones of contact strongly suggested that these two races should be designated as separate species. Levels of heterozygosity and high FST values indicate that genomic structuring within Geomys is most heavily influenced by high levels of inbreeding and low migration rates. Fossorial rodents were suggested to undergo speciation primarily through parapatric means.