Day 5

I last observed my MicroAquarium on November 11, 2010.  Upon observing my aquarium I noticed a few changes.  There were still many bacteria, a lot of diatoms, and still many cynobacteria.  One of the many diatoms identified is known as  Navicula sp. (Tiffany and Britton, Fig. 782).  I noticed that there were less Ostracoda sp.  There were also more Euchlanis sp. that I identified in my last observation.  I observed more rotifers identified as Eplaxis sp. identified in my last observation as well.  I observed a new organism that was identified as Actinophrys sp. there were many of these tiny organisms (Patterson, Fig. 396).  There were still many cyclopes in my MicroAquarium.  These seem to be surviving well considering I also noticed several juvenile cyclopes.  There were a few of another type of rotifer that I identified as Lecane sp. (Smith, Fig. 7.36).  I also observed a few flat worms that I have not seen since the first few observations.  Overall there are less large organisms and many small bacteria and tiny organisms.

Works Cited

D.J. Patterson, Free-Living Freshwater Protozoa. (Washington D.C:  ASM Press, 2003).

Douglas G. Smith, Pennak's Freshwater Invertebrates of the United States (New York:  John Wiley &
         Sons Inc, 2001)

Lewis H. Tiffany and Max E. Britton,  The Algae of Illinois. (Chicago:  Chicago Press, 1952)

Day 4

My last observation was on November 4.  During this observation I noticed that there was a great deal of bacteria that was not there the last time I observed the MicroAquarium.  There was also a lot of cynobacteria growing around the plants and in the soil.  I observed a new rotifer near the soil that moves slow and appeared to be eating, it has two flagella.  Later I identified this rotifer as Euchlanis sp.  There were also several other rotifers that I have yet to identify.  One in particular had a very unique shape, but I never could get a picture of this rotifer.  I noticed that there were fewer seed shrimp than there has been in earlier observations, however the remaining seed shrimp appear to be larger.  I noted that the cyclopes have still survived throughout my observations.  I also observed many diatoms throughout the MicroAquarium and many tiny bacteria.  Also in my observations, I noted that there were several tiny circular organisms that would spin in circles as their movement and were clear in color.  Later I identified this organism as Epalxis sp. (Patterson, Fig 311)

Work Cited
 Patterson, D. 2003. Free-Living Freshwater Protozoa. Washington D.C:  ASM Press.

Rotifer mentioned in text

One of the remaining seed shrimp

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 3

On October 22, 2010 one beta food pellet was added into my MicroAquarium.  "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%.  On October 29, 2010i observed my aquarium and noted some changes. I found that there were less seed shrimp, Ostracoda.  They were still mostly located in the soil, but I found some around the plants.  I also found a flat worm in the soil again and a couple near the top of the water.  I saw more cyclopes, Ospharnticum labronectum, near where the food pellet was added.  I also noted that algae had begun to grow in the soil.  I found one new organism in the soil that I have yet to identify.  It almost looked like a cyclops but they were not the same.  This organism moves very fast and likes to stay in the soil. I only saw one and it was clear and had a red dot on the head and many legs, also it had a tail.  After the beta food pellet was added it was harder than normal to find the organisms in my aquarium.  I suspect this was because some had died, I know this because of the dead organisms near the bottom of the aquarium.
10/29/10

Day 2

First observation of my MicroAquarium was that there had been some water loss, about 1 cm.  I also observed many of the same small organisms noted during Day 1, now identified as seed shrimp.  The seed shrimp are found in all parts of the aquarium, they have no specific preference.  I also observed several dead organisms at the bottom of the aquarium.  I also saw one water bear.  I observed two flat worms, Planaria sp (Ward and Whipple, 1918) . One of the flat worms had managed to eat a seed shrimp. Both of the flat worms were located in or near the soil.  I saw a couple Jacks by plant A.  There were several cyclopes, most by the surface of the soil.  I also observed and videoed a rotifer, Pterdina sp (Ward and Whipple, 1918).

Water bear

Seed shrimp

Flat worm

Cyclops

Work Cited
Ward, H and Whipple, G. Fresh-Water Biology. New York: John Wiley & Sons; 1918.

Day 1

During the first day we were instructed to pick a water source of our choice, so I chose a sample from the Fountain City Duck Pond.  Fountain City Duck Pond. The pond is located at West of Broadway at Cedar Lane. Knox Co. Knoxville TN Full sun exposure. Spring Feed Pond N36 02.087 W83 55.967 963 ft 10/10/2010 (http://botany1112010.blogspot.com/).  After I chose my specimen, I added a thin layer of dirt and water from the top, middle, and bottom of the sample.  Next, I added two different plants:  Fontinalis sp. Moss and Utricularia gibba L. Flowering plant.


Observations:
When looking through the microscope with the 10X objective I saw many organisms.  I saw several small organisms that would dart across the screen every so often.  They were almost clear and spherically shaped.  There were approximately around fifty of them.  During this first observation, I saw one large organism that took up almost an eighth of the screen and was also spherically shaped but this organism was brown. This organism was located in the soil and was slowly moving through the soil and appeared to be eating the soil.  I also observed one tiny organism that would fill up with water then shoot it out to move across the screen.  This organism was circular had tiny little hairs around it.
10-12-10