This observation showed some consistencies with last week's and some new developments. The bottom/muck layer was the busiest area. There were new organisms that Dr. McFarland identified as rotifers. There were two types, one being a Lacane rotifer, and about 10 of each kind were observed. They swim in and around the edge of the muck. They are bigger than most organisms in the MicroAquarium, and some have a forked tail/flagella. Five round ciliates were observed. They spin and have short flagella all around them, with one long flagellum. The same sluggish organisms as last week remained and a greenish tint can be seen in them. The most notable thing from this observation was a large stationary organism called a Coleps, that Dr. McFarland hadn't seen before (Fig. 375 Patterson, 1996).
A picture taken in the lab is included above.The bottom and middle layer both have amoebids. In the middle layer, there was more activity around Plant B than Plant A. Amoebids, diatoms, the same tiny black swimmers as last week, and green organisms that looked like a chain of three circles all were present.
Dr. McFarland pointed out the emergence of algal growth, including Desmot, Spirogyra, and clustering algae, among others.
Lastly, one pellet of food was added to the MicroAquarium and more water was added because of evaporation.
Works Cited
Patterson, D.J. "Free-Living Freshwater Protozoa: A Colour Guide." Wiley 1996. pg. 162.
Cool! Why do you think the bottom of your aquarium had the most activity?
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