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).