Photos / Sounds
What
Genus VorticellaObserver
mikaela_mDescription
Vorticella is a protozoan with a very interesting look to it and lives in freshwater. It has a round shape, sometimes an inverted bell shape, with a contractile fibril called a myoneme. When stimulated, this fibril shortens, causing the stalk to coil like a spring. Vorticella usually anchors itself to small particles of material, although they can be unanchored.
This microorganism was found in a sample from a small wetland behind the dam of Proctor Lake. The area of the wetland at which the sample was taken was shallow, no more than one foot deep, and had various grasses growing and small organisms swimming around.
Retrieved November 17, 2016 from http://www.microscope-microscope.org/applications/pond-critters/protozoan/ciliphora/vorticella.htm
What
Monactinus simplexObserver
mikaela_mPlace
Missing LocationDescription
Pediastrum simplex is a freshwater algae that was found in a sample from the North end of the Colorado River at Timberlake Biological Field Station in Texas.
Pediastrum simplex is also sometimes known as Monactinus simplex.
Photos / Sounds
What
Genus SpirogyraObserver
mikaela_mDescription
This sample of Spirogyra was found in a small wetland, behind the dam of Proctor Lake, along the edge, less than one foot deep, with different grasses growing around and small organisms swimming around.
Spirogyra is a filamentous, free-floating, green algae found in freshwater environments. They are named for their spiral chloroplasts. They float near the surface of streams and ponds due to oxygen bubbles released during photosynthesis.
The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica, (2015). Spirogyra Microorganism. Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved November 16, 2016 from https://www.britannica.com/science/Spirogyra
Photos / Sounds
What
Cyclopoid Copepods (Order Cyclopoida)Observer
mikaela_mDescription
Cyclopoid Copepods live in freshwater. These examples were sampled from Proctor Lake with a zooplankton net in an area that was about 12-16 feet deep.
Cyclopoid Copepods have a teardrop shaped body with long antennae, usually about as long as the body. They are transparent and have one red compound eye. In females, two lateral egg sacs are visible.
What
Daphnia lumholtziObserver
mikaela_mDescription
Daphnia is a genius of small crustaceans that live in fresh water. Daphnia are important for food to fish and other aquatic organisms. They are also important in detecting changes in water chemistry because of their sensitivity.
Daphnia are transparent in color and have one compound eye and one eyespot. They also have two pairs of antennae: one for olfactory, and another for swimming. They also have "armor" for protection against predators. The "helmet" and tail spine usually arise when daphnia live in environments with predators.
This specimen was found in a sample from Proctor Lake, taken with a zooplankton net in an area where the depth was about 13 feet deep.
Clare, J. B.A., Ph.D. (2002) Daphnia: An Aquarist's Guide. Retrieved November 16, 2016 from http://www.caudata.org/daphnia
Photos / Sounds
What
Order NaviculalesObserver
mikaela_mDescription
This is a Diatom that is a biraphid species. Valve ends may be capitate, acute, rounded, or not expanded. Navicula has about 86 known species within it's Genus.
This Diatom was found in a river below the dam for Proctor Lake.
Spaulding, S., and Edlund, M. (2008). Navicula. In Diatoms of the United States. Retrieved November 16, 2016, from http://westerndiatoms.colorado.edu/taxa/genus/Navicula