RECRYSTALLIZATION IN A FREEZING TOLERANT ANTARCTIC NEMATODE, PANAGROLAIMUS-DAVIDI, AND AN ALPINE WETA, HEMIDEINA-MAORI (ORTHOPTERA, STENOPELMATIDAE)

The ability of haemolymph from the freezing tolerant weta, Hemideina m aori, and supernatant from homogenates of the freezing tolerant nemato de Panagrolaimus davidi to inhibit the recrystallization of ice was ex amined using the ''splat freezing'' technique and annealing on a cryom icroscope stage. There was no recrystallization inhibition in weta hae molymph or in insect ringer controls. Recrystallization inhibition was present in the nematode supernatant but this was destroyed by heating and was absent in controls. P. davidi survives intracellular freezing and recrystallization inhibition may be important for the survival of this stress. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.