Dehydration and Aeolosoma sp

The micro system suffered a significant loss of water in the elapse between observations. The mass of liquid was lost, however, there was condensation visible in portion of the system containing vegetation. Water was added to the system and surviving organisms where immediately observed. Cyclops as well as seed squid where active in the system. The matrix of the Utricularia gibba became condensed in the dehydration process. Examining the entwined segments of the plant specimens of a previously unidentified Genus where discovered. Two specimens of Aeolosoma sp where observed in close interaction with a pod of the gibba (Covich et al, 1991). The specimens are depicted in the adjacent photos. The two where observed for the duration of several minutes and both exhibited a strong interaction with the pod. One of the specimens seemed to be entrapped in the pod. The specimen had periodic convulsions of movement that brought no change to its situation. The second specimen remained in the immediate area of the pod for the duration of observation.  

Aeolosoma sp.

Image I
This image captures the interaction between Aeolosoma sp and the Utricularia gibba (Covich, 1991). Identification for Aeolosome sp is reported with image II. The specimen depicted here appears to be displaying signs of entrapment. The specimen would convulse at intervals. Movement appeared to avail nothing but slight position alteration. The Aeolosoma sp specimen viewed in image II was also in imediate proximity to this pod of the gibba.   

Image II:

This image depicts Aeolosoma sp (Covich et al, 1991). Aeolosoma is a previously unidentified Genus in the system. This week at least two specimens of the Genus where observed. This image depicts one of them. The characteristic chaetae setae can be observed along the length of the specimen causing it to appear segmented (Covich et al, 1991). 

Micro observations

This week found an explanation for the filament web predominating in the sediment portion of the system. Knowing that the thriving organism in the system is the Utricularia gibba and knowing of the organisms existing potential for filament production, some intermediate consideration was given to the possibility that U. gibba was the source of the mysterious growth. In the exploration of this hypothesis, extensive observation of the organism was undertaken. This observation lead to the identification of rodofers foraging on the surface of the organism. Also observed were clear signs of organism growth. Developing pods were observed looking very much like blebbed cells along the branches of the organism. Also observed in the U. gibba matrix was a multitude of organisms identified as Vorticella (Patterson, 2009). Examinations were made of several pods on the U. gibba in an attempt to 'trace' filaments. The result of this search was the image of the open pod which is striking in its view of the structure of the inner pod. The filaments were identified as being the organism Osillatoria sp. and thus independent of U gibba (Forest, 1954).       

Literature Cited

Forest, Herman Silva. Handbook of Algae. University of Tennessee: 1954.
Patterson, D.J.. Free-Living Freshwater Protozoa: A Colour  Guide. Manson: 2009.
Rainis, Kenneth G., Bruce J. Russell. Guide to Microlife. Watts: 1996.

Images from the System

This image is a side view of a Cyclops sp. (Rainis et al, 1996). This image was captured during the first observation of the system.

This image captures a growing end of an Oscillatoria sp. (Forest, 1954). It is this filament-like structure that was described in the previous post as a network of filaments. Oscillatoria sp. have formed a web like structure over the sediment layer of the system. This web extends upward from the lower levels but its density dissipates with height and the organism has no presence above midway through the system.

This image represents another attempt to capture the activity observed in the video. This is a pod of the Utricularia gibba. The carcasses of two seed squid are observable inside the pod. Paramecium can be observed actively consuming both carcasses. The paramecium are most distinct on the seed squid that is above and to the right in this image. The paramecium have swarmed at the portion of the squid that is to the right in the image.    

(Above)
This image is also of the pod of the Utricularia gibba. This is the opening of the pod. Filaments extending from the lip of the pod into the matrix of the system can be observed in the periphery. The importance of these filaments in drawing in prey can be observed in the video as a seed squid is observed savaging on the filament and following it down to the pod. This image focuses on the mechanism of the pod. Observable inside the pod are a series of spurs or filaments that the organism utilizes in entrapping prey.

(Below)
This is an image of a Vorticella (Patterson, 2009). This unicellular organism was observed along the structure of the Utricularia gibba. This unicellular organism has an observable stem that acts as a hold for the organism. The organism has a system of flagella encircling the its upper surface. These two specimens are are representative of a group that radiated around the pod that can be observed in the foreground of the image. 

Addition of Beta Pellet

Friday, October the 22nd, one Beta Food Pellet produced by Ocean Nutrition, Aqua Pet Americas containing fish meal, wheat flower, soy meal, krill meal, minerals, vitamins and preservatives was introduced into the aquatic system (botany1112010.blogspot.com). Allowing time for effects of beta pellet, the system was observed on Tuesday, October the 26th. The expected increase in population and vivacity with in the system was not observed. The first change in the system noted was a reduction in life. This was most notable in the appearance of two protists of formidable size, such that they where noticeable with the naked eye, floating on the liquid surface of the system. Analysis suggested that the source of the carcasses did not come from the primary known predator in the system, the Utricularia gibba. Last week, following the video observation of the pod on the Utricularia gibba, a pod of this plant was opened for the observation of the contents. This is seen in the video in the final segment which observes a paramecium extracted from the pod. The carcasses of seed shrimp where also removed from the pod and observed to be reduced to a membrane. From this experience with the U. gibba, it seems that the plant can be eliminated as the source of the carcasses as both specimens where largely anatomically intact. At present, the cause of the carcasses remains a mystery. One hypothesis might be that the time between introduction of the pellet and observation of the system was significant enough to cause a population increase and subsequent crash. This hypothesis is not interpreted as accurate as portions of the beta pellet where observed semi dissolved within the matrix of the system. The only perceivable change in the system was a network of green filaments that have 'grown' over the bottom sediment layer of the system. The source of this phenomenon is as yet undetermined. Investigation into the physiology and cycles of the U. gibba in an effort to link or eliminate linkage between these two unknowns has produced only a few taxonomic sketches.

Paramecium inside a Utricularia gibba L.

This week's observation of the micro-aquatic system arrived at a similar survey of organisms. The survey was less than thorough as it became distracted by the behavior of the observed protists. Observed activities included those of a previously unidentified specimen of the genus Stenostromum (). This elongated protist that by proportions seemed the dominent creature in the system was seen noticable recoiling from a juvenile Cyclops before vanishing into the obscurity of the sediment layer. The majority of observation was focused on the interaction between seed squid, paramecium and the carnivorous Utricularia gibba. The posted attempts to capture this interaction. Seed squid are lured into the pod of the Utricularia gibba where they become trapped and die from lack of nutrients (McFarland). The Utricularia gibba fix nitrogen from the decomposing cells (McFarland). The paramecium also derive some nutritional value from the degradation of the seed squid structure. I do not know what type nor the bases of the U. gibba and paramecium interaction. In the film, the paramecium are seen amassed within the pod of the U. gibba around the degenerating seed squid. Also documented is the approach of a seed squid to the pod. The remainder of the video attempts to capture the parameciums activity upon the seed squid. This is a relative failure but it is possible to glipse what may be a live seed squid within the pod of the U. gibba.

Material and Methods

Materials
A microequarium was assembled from three principle components: a tank, stand and lid. The tank width allowed for introduction of materials while also accommodating examination with a microscope. The tank was filled with water and sediment obtained from Fountain City Duck Pond. Sediment from this source was introduced as an initial layer. Water was extracted from varying depths of the initial sample and introduced into the system. Fontinalis sp. Moss and Utricularia gibba L. where then added to the system (Macfarland, 2010).
Observation
The initial observation, which followed directly upon completion of the system, discovered active protists in the system. The areas of greatest activity were the sediment layer as well as on the surface of the vegetation. Seed squid were observed on the vegetation. These are transparent protists with the mature form exhibiting darkened pigmentation on the external surface of the abdomen. A Cyclops, a copepod, was also identified in the open area of the system (micro.magnet.fsu.edu).