Critter of the Week

(the party is over)

 

Of all the organisms that I have observed in my micro aquarium over the last few weeks, this one in particular has been one of the most abundant.  And for that matter, they also seem to be some of the most active.  They were everywhere and constantly moving about in search of food.

 

 

This organism is a type of rotifer called Euchlanis.  As you can see, they are transparent which allows you to see their internal organs including the mastax or jaw which looks kind of like a rams head located towards the medial superior portion of the body.  This structure also has sweeping cilia that is typical of the rotifers.  This creature was identified using the book Fresh Water Invertebrates of the United States by Robert W. Pennak, pages 170-171, figures 106 and 107.

 

Another critter that I wanted to make sure that made it on to my blog before our observation period was over is this little guy...

 

 

This is actinospharium.  These organisms belong the heliozoan group of protists. They are some of the most common heliozoa in fresh water, and are especially frequent in lakes and rivers.  The heliozoans get their name from the radiating spines that project out from the amoeboid like body in the center, which in a way, is reminiscent of the sun.  This organism was identified using the book The Protozoa:  Introduction to Protozoology by John N. Farmer, page 4, figures 1-6.  

 

And with that, the party is over.  My observations have been completed, the micro aquarium has been sanitized and I have now started my report.  It was interesting seeing all the critters that inhabit the micro-world which is invisible to our naked eye.  There is so much going on around us that we take for granted.