Citations

Patterson, D.J.. Free-living Freshwater Protozoa. London, NW11 7DL, UK: Manson Publishing, 1992.


Ward, Henry B., and George C. Whipple. Fresh-water Biology. London: New York, John Wiley & sons, inc, 1918.


Donner, Josef. Rotifers. Warne, London: H G S Wright, 1966.






The picture at the top of the blog is of a Vorticella. It was named from figure 232-236, page 113 of Free-living Freshwater Protozoa.


The two pictures on the bottom right are of Coleps which were found in Free-living Freshwater Protozoa on page 163 and the Paramecium Barsuria was locating in the same book on page 155.


The picture on the bottom left is of the Lecane sp. found in Rotifers, fifure 8-62, page 56.


The picture of the flatworm (stenostomum) was named from Fresh-water Biology figure 594, page 336.


The lecane sp. Rotifer was found in Rotifers, fifure 8-62, page 56.


The Euplote was found in Free-living Freshwater Protozoa figure 259-61, page 124.


The Coleps was found in Free-living Freshwater Protozoa on page 163 and the Paramecium Barsuria was locating in the same book on page 155.

Week 4

Things changed a lot this past week in my tank. The Rodifers (the little round things) have almost disappeared entirely. They were swarming the place last week. I cannot figure out what has happened to them. I'm quite disappointed that the activity levels have decreased so much. I was enjoying all the different organisms bouncing around. I was able to find some amoeba still but was unable to find my flatworm. That too was not a great thing. The flatworm was my most favorite organism. I really hope he was just hiding out and hasn't died. The water in the aquarium has gone down as well. I'm not sure if it is evaporating or if someone knocked it over. I'm fairly certain evaporation is the cause.

Week 3 (Video)

Update: The video does not seem to be working. I have put it up on youtube and it's doing just fine there. Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V74Z3slh7JQ

This is the first video I have ever edited. Sorry for any glitchy moments. I had some great video of a nematode, however, I cut it out for length puproses. I'll make a second video later.


Things have changed a bit this week in my aquarium. There is still quite a bit of activity, however, it has lessened greatly from last week. I did find a new organism called a stenostomum (Ward, H.B, 1918 Fig. 594). I will try to add more to this week's discoveries soon. I'm going to look up the previous organisms now though. I've been here for 2 and a half hours just to provide you with what little you see so far.

Week 2

Dr. McFarland added a food pellet to my tank. This has caused a major change in the environment. I had taken a look at my tank during week one to find it to be, what I thought, very active. However, after the addition of the food pellet the term "active" does not even begin to describe the changes. Before I even had a chance to focus the lens I could see brown specs swarming all over the place. Once I was in focus I could see that the population in the MicroAquariam had increased immensely. 

Last week the organisms seemed a bit lazy, now it's a circus. Taking pictures proved difficult. Many of the little organisms refused to stop and pose for pictures. I did find a very interesting worm in the tank that Dr. McFarland said was a 'Flat Worm." I will be spending more time during week 3 for research (this will be tomorrow). I keep spending all my time with my nose in the microscope rather than the books. Today, I will provide a few more pictures of the things I saw and I will come back to update the names of all of them. 

I have also found out the types of plants that I added to the aquarium; plant A is Fontinalis and plant B is Uticularia. Currently the microorganisms are seeming to enjoy both. Although, the Uricularia may be getting a bit more attention.

 

This is the Flatworm Dr. McFarland mentioned.

Stenestomum sp.

(Fresh-water Biology, 594)

Stenestomum sp.

(Ward, 594)

Euplote 

(Patterson, 124)

Dr. McFarland said this was an amoeba. It was one of the most awesome things I have ever seen. The little balls move inside of the gelatin layer almost as if they are waves passing over one another and this is how the entire unit moves. 

Amoeba

(Baldwin)

And these are the little things that swarmed all over the place. I took this during a feeding frenzy on one of the plants. I will give you more information about how the move and what they are very soon.

Colepse

(Hedley, 163)

Food Pellet Information:

 "Atison's Betta Food" made by Ocean Nutrition, Aqua Pet Americas, 3528 West 500 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84104. Ingredients: Fish meal, wheat flower, soy meal, krill meal, minerals, vitamins and preservatives. Analysis: Crude Protein 36%; Crude fat 4.5%; Crude Fiber 3.5%; Moisture 8% and Ash 15%.

Week 1 & Setup

Last week, I took a look into my little aquarium to see what might exist in there. Although I still do not have all the answers, they will certainly be coming soon as I look them up! Coming up are some picture and during this week I will be letting you know exactly what it is we are seeing in there.


Before we look at the pictures, however, let me give you a little background on what exactly is going on here. For an in depth explanation please see the complete class blog at http://botany1112010.blogspot.com/ . 


My MicroAquarium™ consists of water from a spring located at the Carter Mill Park in Knoxville Tennessee. Added to this MicroAquarium™ is dirt from the same source as well as two different types of plant. I will confirm the names of these plants and let you know what they are very soon! I have to be sure I am correct. 


The aquarium is two plastic pieces with a base and a space between for water. I added my water, both plants and then put the top on the aquarium.


I took a peek into this little world and was amazed. I found organisms attached to the plants and many were darting about. I was able to see what I thought were parts of my plant but have found out that they are a certain type of bacteria. As soon as I find out what type they are exactly I will let you know what kind it is and where I gathered this information. I also saw many clear organisms. Some had all kinds of little 'legs' that seemed to move them. I know this doesn't sound very scientific but this week I will set aside more time for research. I must admit that I spent all my time staring through the lens amazed that so much existed in water. I grew up drinking spring water and currently feel like a murderer. Yes, I am one of those people that set even the scary bugs free, rather than let them meet their end at the bottom of my shoe. 


I hope that you enjoy reading my blog and that I can satisfy any and all questions. Please, feel free to leave comments or questions. I am setting off on a great mission to understand a whole new, and interesting, little world.


A special 'thank you' is extended to all my friends and family that have chosen to take time out of their day to learn a little bit with me.