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).
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