Week Four: The Dark Ages

Probably due to some aspect of starvation my MicroAquarium seems to be decreasing in organisms. The once very numerous protozoa seem to be much less prominent, and are actually harder to find than normal. However, with death comes life. A growing number of philodina seem to attach themselves to almost every algal strip. Yet the number of philodina is nothing compared to the immense amount of difflugia (I actually spelled it "diphlusia" in previous entries. . . my bad). These difflugia are, no exaggeration, in basically every other frame of the microscope. Some of the difflugia may actually be centropyxis (1), but may be too immature to tell. These and only a few other new discoveries in the MicroAquarium lead me to my next point: I will post an extensive amount of pictures and descriptions!

This picture consists of three philodina. These rotifers are becoming a very common micro-organism in the slide.

This image is of an Amoeba radiosa. Its very interesting to watch the very large, and extensive protruding plasmodia feeling around for debris to engulf.

This image to the left is an example of the overgrowth of algal colonies.

To the right is an example of one of the difflugia. On the right side of the amoeba, a protruding plasmodia is seen. (I actually had a video of a difflugia to help better understand its movements, but, due to technical difficulties could not post it. Hopefully, that will change soon)

To the left is what I like to call "the graveyard." This, and much of the surrounding area, was filled with the dead and decaying shells of many of the organisms that were once so prominent in the slide.

This micro-organism to the right is a protozoa in the halteria order. The genus is known as a strobilidium (2). This and only one or two others were seen, so they are not incredibly abundant.

To the left is a peranema (3). At first glance, it looks related to a euglena. However, the distinction comes in the flagella's tip, which is crooked and rapidly waves, making the peranema motile.

Lastly, to the right is an unknown filamentous cyanobacteria. I attempted to locate it in the lab's resources, but could find exactly what it was. Hopefully, in the near future, I will be able to find it, or more, and put a name with a face.

(1) Patterson, D.J., Free Living Freshwater Protozoa, (London, 1992), fig. 184
(2) Patterson, fig. 365 or 366
(3) Patterson, p. 51

Week Three: Going South for the Winter

Most of the life in the MicroAquarium has migrated south toward the bottom sediment. There are a few bulbs on Plant B that are filled with active life. However, I cannot see through the shell to tell exactly what organisms are inside. Also, Plant B seems dirty, and, all throughout the slide, are growing nodules with many, thin protruding roots. There are still a lot of small protizoa and some tachysoma (as I've had before). I also see an increasing amount of filamentous colonies, both cyanobacteria Anabaena and some green algae (which is pictured up top). There was also an interesting looking cluster of diatoms that is pictured below.

Through the toils and troubles, there are many newly found micro-organisms. Around Plant B and toward the bottom are a few rotifers called Philodina (1). It's pretty cool seeing it pulsing, and, also, it creates a current and draws other organisms (bacteria, debris, etc.) toward it. Two Philodina are pictured on the left. Another rotifer that I found had a lot of thick cilia. It's called a Gastrotricha (2). After feeding on a clump of debris and hiding, I managed to snag a picture of it (right). I also found one Euglena, which was very distinct by its small body and long flagellum. It swims with its flagellum in the front, which was very surprising.



(1) Pennak, Robert. Fresh-Water Invertebrates of the United States. 3rd ed. Wiley-Interscience: New York. 1989. (pg. 172)

(2) Pennak (pg. 165)

Week Two: Decaying Matter Leaves Life with Low Hopes

Life in the MicroAquarium has spread away from the Plant B bulbs, yet there are many pieces of decaying plant. Around a certain piece of decaying matter hosts hundreds of protizoa. I assume that this particular clump contains many of the necessary nutrients for bacteria and micro-organisms. There is still limited life around Plant A. However, air bubbles have been trapped within the plant showing that it may still be producing oxygen.

Throughout the MicroAquarium are hundreds of rod-like diatoms (thought to be Thalassionema nitzschoides) and a few scattered rectangular diatoms. There are also A LOT of large, stranded colonies in the bottom sediment. I assume it to be composed of either bacteria or diatoms, but they are too small to tell at the moment. Hopefully I will be able to gather further information as they grow. Protizoa are also feeding off the decaying matter in the bottom sediment. Within the groups of bacteria, there seem to be a lot of Tachysoma (one of which is posted). The contractile vacuole, which gives it its pulsing motion, is visible.

Overall, there is still not much life, only increasing amounts of decaying matter. Hopefully, an increase in the decay will cause in increase in life. . . but we can only hope.

Week One: A Pioneer Village

This week, we set up our MicroAquariums. The water source utilized was from source 4 (see below information). I also used both plant A and B.

4. Holston River along John Sevier Hwy under I 40 Bridge Partial shade exposure Holston River water Shed N36 00.527 W83 49.549 823 ft 10/11/2009

Plant A . Amblystegium varium (Hedw.) Lindb. Moss. Collection from: Natural spring. at Carters Mill Park, Carter Mill Road, Knox Co. TN. Partial shade exposure. N36 01.168 W83 42.832. 10/11/2009Plant B. Utricularia vulgaris L. Flowering

Plant B . carnivous plant. Original material from south shore of Spain Lake (N 35o55 12.35" W088o20' 47.00), Camp Bella Air Rd. East of Sparta Tn. in White Co. and grown in water tanks outside of greenhouse at Hesler Biology Building. The University of Tennessee. Knox Co. Knoxville TN.

As I peered into my aquarium, I could not help but to flatter myself: I have given these poor microorganisms a home. No longer will they have to suffer through the toils and troubles of the outside world, to which they are not accustom. The majority of Microville is rod-like diatoms and protisoa. There are also a few rotifers. I have designated this geographic area a downtown: Plant B. The most organisms are on the bulbs of Plant B. And as we all know, a downtown has to have a town hall. In Mircoville Town Hall (Plant A) sits Mayor Nematode. Plant A is also home to many rhizoids. They look like roots, but they are scattered all over the moss (I'm not sure what the mayor has planned for these rhizoids yet, but I'm sure he has something good up his hypodermis. As I thought would be the case, most of the life and activity is around the plants. There is not much action in the bottom sediment except for a few rod-like diatoms here and there. I'm hoping that this will sprout into a great tourism spot for Microville because they are having a rough time in this economy.