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.