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.