Observation 3- 11/3/2011

I observed my MicroAquarium once again last Thursday, November 3rd.

Many things have changed since my last observation.  For one thing, there were many more organisms this time, including a Euclanis (Pennak 1989, Figure 2), several Vorticella (Patterson 1996, Figure 233), several Actinospaerium (Patterson 1996, Figure 395), a Philodina (Pennak 1989, Figure 3), a Tachysoma (Patterson 1996, Figure 265), and a rotifer that was extremely difficult to identify--our best guess was a Furcularia--(Ward and Whipple 1918, Figure 871).  Below, I will post some of the most interesting of these organisms.

Philodina
(Pennak 1989, Figure 3)

Rotifer-Possibly Furcularia
(Ward and Whipple 1918, Figure 871)

Another change was that Plant B (Utricularia gibba) seemed to be dead/dying.  Below, there is a picture of the dead plant material.  This plant material was rich with organisms feeding on the remaining matter.

Dead Plant Material -  Utricularia gibba 

 This week was the first week in which I observed any dead organisms on the bottom of the tank.  Below, you can see a picture of that organism, which I was unable to identify.  You can't tell in the picture, but the organism was a hive of activity for other organisms, which seemed to be feeding on the dead organism.

Unidentified Dead Organism

I plan to observe my MicroAquarium again later this week and update this blog with more information soon after.


Sources:

Bick, H. (1972).  Ciliated protozoa.  Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization.

Patterson, D.J. (1996).  Free-living freshwater protozoa: a colour guide.  Washington, D.C.: ASM Press.

Pennak, R. W. (1989).  Fresh-water invertebras of the United States: protozoa to mollusca.  New York City, New York: John Wiley and Sons, Inc.

Ward, H. B. and Whipple, G. C. (1918).  Fresh-water biology.  New York City, New York: John Wiley and Sons, Inc.