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