Micro Aquarium observation #5 bib.

Bibliography

Patterson DJ. 1996. Free-living Freshwater Protozoa: A Colour Guide. Washington D.C. (DC): Wolfe Publishing. p.52 Fig. 71, p.53 Fig. 76.

Micro Aquarium Observation #5

Samuel Koeshall
BIOL 111 Lab
Rebecca Wilson
November 12, 2013

Micro Aquarium Observation #5

As this is my last time to view my micro aquarium, it has been quite an adventure seeing the progression of my term project and the organisms that I have viewed in it. On this cold, nippy Tuesday afternoon, I obtained my micro aquarium from the storage container and choose a microscope with computer peripherals. As I took the bottom and top off of my micro aquarium to place it on the microscope, I noticed a mosquito larvae at the top of my micro aquarium. I then remembered the midge that I had discovered during last weeks viewing. This was so exciting to see the progression of a creature that I had viewed in such a different form. After my first discovery, I then began to view my micro aquarium beginning at the bottom section. Most of the single celled organism activity was located at the bottom of the micro aquarium. In comparison to past viewings of the micro aquarium, there were very few organisms in the micro aquarium. I also noticed that the cells had slowed down in their movement as their food supply had diminished. I viewed two different organisms today that appeared in a adequate number. They were Entosiphon sp. and Peranema sp., which are ciliates.

The Entosiphon sp. has two different flagella. One trails the body and the other leads as a anchor. It also has a flap like opening at its anterior end. This was one of the larger organisms I viewed during this term project. Below is a picture detailing this organism.

Photo 1

The next organism I viewed was Peranema sp. This was also one of the larger organisms I viewed during my term project. This organism has one, large, broad flagellum and instead of swimming it glides around the water. Below is picture of this organism. 

Photo 2

I have completely enjoyed my opportunity to share this experience with you while I studied this ecosystem I created in my micro aquarium.

Micro Aquarium observation #4 Bibliography

Bibliography

Thorp, James H., and Alan P. Covich. Ecology and Classification of North American Freshwater Invertebrates. San Diego, CA: Academic, 2009. p.643, fig. 16.158. Print.

Micro Aquarium observation #4

Samuel Koeshall
BIOL 111 Lab
Rebecca Wilson
November 7, 2013

MicroAquarium Observation #4

After my last observation, there was much activity in the micro aquarium due to the addition of the Beta food pellet. In my imagination I thought that there would be even more organisms present due to the addition of that food source but that was simply not the case. As I sat down to observe my micro aquarium, I was astonished to find that something has wrecked havoc on the my micro aquarium. As I began to view my micro aquarium, there was neither organism life in the bottom, center, or top section of the micro aquarium. I also noticed that the plant material had been partially eaten and torn apart. After even more observation, I noticed that there were many dead organisms sitting on the glass of the micro aquarium. While searching for a organism(s) that caused such a disruption in the ecosystem of my micro aquarium, I discovered the culprit. To my amazement, I found a single Midge, or better known as insect larvae. We identified this Midge as a Chironomidae sp. Becasue the Chironomidae sp. had eaten all of the present organisms in the micro aquarium, it then moved on to the present plant material which I observed it to be consuming the plant Utricularea, which is a green type plant. I observed the Chironomidae sp. to be focused anywhere that there was Utricularea no matter where it was in the micro aquarium. The Chironomidae sp. moved constantly while feeding. The Chironomidae sp. has a segmented body and a brown outer skin. While this has been a radical turn of events in my micro aquarium, I am interested to see how the Chironomidae sp. adapts to its enviroment after consuming all of the present organisms. Below is a video showing the Chironomidae sp. eating a piece of Utricularea.

Video 1

Micro Aquarium Observation #1 bib.

Bibliography

Patterson, David J. Free-living Freshwater Protozoa: A Colour Guide. New York: Wiley, 1996. 169 70. Print.