Observation 5 11.11.10

Each week of observations has brought about a new noticeable difference in the Microaquarium. Last week's noticeable difference seemed to be the multiplication and diversity of protozoa. This week a flux in algae showed the aging of the ecosystem.

Among the algae was Coleochaete, as seen in the picture to the left. This is a young green algae with only a few cells.

Also seen are Centropyxis.

These are a dark color because they absorb

matter form their environment. As they get older, finger-like structures will appear out from the center of them.

In addition to these algae, there were many large Amoeba which had not been present before, as seen in the picture below.

There has been one organism that has been perplexing in finding it's taxonomy. It is clear to be a Rotifrea, but its species has not matched anything found in literature. First thoughts were to name it a Notommata, but this organism does not demonstrate the correct movement patterns, it is only similar in body form.

Cites:

Coleochaete - "Algae of Illinois" Tiffany. p.38 fig.75. Copyright 1952, university of chicago

Notommata - "Rotifers" Joser Donner. p.64 fig.82. Copyright 1956, New York

Centropyxis - Patterson D. 1996. Free- Living Freshwater Protozoa. London: Manson Publishing Ltd. Fig. 184.

Observation 4 11.4.10

During my fourth observation, new organisms have plant structures had appeared and grown.

Oscillatoria, a filamentous blue-green alga or cyanobacterium, appeared in mass quantities near the soil and base of the aquarium. It has photosynthentic pigments including phycoacteristic bluish tinge(PattersonP.25. Fig 4).

Coleps, scavenger creature feeding on detritus, but with a preference for the tissue of dead or dying animals, in mass quantities moving around the entirety of the aquarium(PattersonP.162. Fig 376).

Nematodes continue to located themselves near the soil and base of the aquarium. Stenostomium tenuicauda, a yellowish-brown worm-like organism, seen in close proximity to the nematodes, near the soil and base of aquarium(Ward).

Cites:

D.J. Patterson "Freshwater Free-living Protozoa" P.25. Fig 4.

D.J. Patterson "Freshwater Free-living Protozoa" P.162. Fig 376.

Henery B. Ward "Fresh-water Biology" P.336. Fig.15. Copyright, 1918 - F.H. Gilson Company Boston.

Observation 3 10.25.

On Friday October 22, 2010 one Betta Food pellet was added to the microaquarium.

Specs - "Atison's Betta Food" made by Ocean Nutrition, Aqua Pet Americas, 3528 West 500 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84104. Ingredients: Fish meal, wheat flower, soy meal, krill meal, minerals, vitamins and preservatives. Analysis: Crude Protein 36%; Crude fat 4.5%; Crude Fiber 3.5%; Moisture 8% and Ash 15%.

Upon observing the aquarium it was easy to notice the large increase of life. The Betta Food pellet really went to work, or should I say, the organisms really went to work. A huge numbers of Rotifers of various size inhabit the aquarium. A noticeable increase in number of Nematodes also of various sizes. One Nematode was of extremely

large in comparison to any seen in this aquarium before.

Several new living organisms were seen:

Paramecium Bursaria - a star shaped contractile vacuole complexes with filter feeding ciliate.

Actinosphaerium - this multinucleated heliosoon with arms

tapered from its base towards the distal tips was seen near the batta food pellet. Multiple Actinsphaerium were seen dividing in two and one was seen with a contractual vacuole.

A whole lot of diversity was seen around the betta pellet (as seen in the picture below), including bacterial life.

Cites:

D. J. Patterson. "Free-living Freshwater-Protozoa" p. 155 fig. 349.

D. J. Patterson. "Free-living Freshwater-Protozoa" p. 169. fig. 395.

Observation 2 10.21

MircoAquarium has an increased number of organisms. Approximately 3 noticed different moving organisms with a large number of rotifers and 2 noticed types of inactive organisms. Two Nematodes were seen. One near the dirt and one within plant A. Picture to the right shows the mouth of the Nematode who was larking about the dirt.Another organism which i have yet to identify was seen meandering the open mid-leveled water. May be a rotifer looking similar to a Philodina.

Flower like organism identified as a Vorticella was seen within Plant B. This in-active structure is pictured below, more on it next observation.

Sources:

D. Patterson, "Free-living Freshwater Protozoa"p.28 fig 18. Wolfe Pub. 1992

H. Bick "Ciliated Protozoa" p. 108 Fig 56. World Health Org. 1977 Switzerland

MicroAquarium Week 1

With this MicroAquarium I will be able to observe the diverse ecosystem found in a small sample of water from the selected water source. These small organisms will flourish and compete among themselves from resources due to the moisture and nutrients provided in the MicroAquarium.

To set up the MicroAquarium I took the 3mm x about 2" aquarium, attached it to a base and applied identification colors to it. Poured the selected water source in, added plants A and B, and attached the lid.

The chosen water source is number 6. This water is from Dean's Woods SpringCreek. This is located off Woodson Dr. running through Dean's Woods Road frontage., Knox Co. Tennessee. The SpringCreek is exposed to partial shade. The water was collected from the floor of the creek, including some dirt, the mid-water, and the top-water.

Two plants were added to the MicroAquarium to give oxygen and further diversity. Plant A is Fontinalis sp. Moss. Collection from: Natural spring. at Carters Mill Park, Carter Mill Road, Knox Co. TN. Partial shade exposure. Plant B is Utricularia gibba L. Flowering plant. A carnivous plant. Original material from south shore of Spain Lake (N 35o55 12.35" W088o20' 47.00), Camp Bella Air Rd. East of Sparta Tn. in White Co. and grown in water tanks outside of greenhouse at Hesler Biology Building. The University of Tennessee. Knox Co. Knoxville TN.

When first observing many small organisms were seen. Mainly of two variations: a long worm-like transparent organism and a round ladybug-like organism.