For observations recorded on Nov. 16 2012:
- About half of the water content had evaporated once more.
-The Amblestegium sank into the bottom of the Aquarium tank.
-Amount and variety of organisms observed was much greater than the previous observation
Creatures observed
-About 2 Diffludgia (sp.), one feeding using a tube protruding from it (Jahn 1949)
-4 Halteria (sp.), freely floating around the Aquarium (Jahn 1949)
-An Actinosphaerium (sp.) off the tip of an Amblestegium leaf (Jahn 1949) Seen approx. 3 prior, but not noted. Another noted freely floating.
-Endless Diatoms everywhere in the Aquarium. Some now organized into filamentous structures, forming stacks of cells.
-Another Vorticella (sp.) noted freely floating in the water, oddly.
-About three more Paramecium, one not even floating in the water.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Monday, November 12, 2012
Entry 4
Preliminary Observations
-Approximately half of the water had evaporated out of the Aquarium. Despite this, some organisms seemed to be able to survive. The Utricularia, however, were most certainly dying in places that lacked water, as can be seen below. On the other hand, the Amblestegium seemed to be still alive even in regions lacking water.
-A different Microscope was used this time, the Leitz Laborlux 11. The camera used was the Sony HD Handycam HDR-XR500
-Very few organims could be observed this week in terms of quantity or variety. However, there were a large number of Diatoms (and possibly other algae, but they were indistinct) at the bottom
Organism observed:
These and other Paramecium (Rainis and Russell 1996) I found floating freely in the Aquarium. I noted a fair number, possibly three to five, whereas previously, I had not seen any.
This photo I took of the Gibba (McFarland 2012) shows clear evidence of its decay.
By contrast, the Amblestegium (McFarland 2012) here seems almost more alive, making me wonder if it thrives even in lack of water.
-Approximately half of the water had evaporated out of the Aquarium. Despite this, some organisms seemed to be able to survive. The Utricularia, however, were most certainly dying in places that lacked water, as can be seen below. On the other hand, the Amblestegium seemed to be still alive even in regions lacking water.
-A different Microscope was used this time, the Leitz Laborlux 11. The camera used was the Sony HD Handycam HDR-XR500
-Very few organims could be observed this week in terms of quantity or variety. However, there were a large number of Diatoms (and possibly other algae, but they were indistinct) at the bottom
Organism observed:
These and other Paramecium (Rainis and Russell 1996) I found floating freely in the Aquarium. I noted a fair number, possibly three to five, whereas previously, I had not seen any.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Entry 3
Preliminary Notes
-Approximately the top fifth of the water had evaporated this time, and it was again replaced.
-Beta Fish food pellet added to the Aquarium on Oct. 26th, 2012. It was manufactured by "Atison's Beta Food", made by the Ocean Nutrition company, Aqua Pet Americas (located at 3528 West 500 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84104). The ingredients are as follows: Fish meal, wheat flower, soy meal, krill meal, minerals, vitamins and preservatives, resulting in a nutrional value of Crude Protein 36%; Crude fat 4.5%; Crude Fiber 3.5%; Moisture 8% and Ash 15% (McFarland 2012)
-The microscope model used was the Olympus CH30 microscope. The camcorder model was also recorded, but improperly, and will have to be rerecorded next time.
-I observed a larger quantity of organisms this time, but the variety remained roughly the same. This time, however, I noticed many more organisms floating freely around the Aqaurium, whereas previously, they were mostly concentrated within the dirt layer, though my examples below may show otherwise. Many of the free-floating organisms are indistinguishable from water droplets (and thus difficult to get a good photograph of), or organisms I had observed the prior week, so I had little choice but to ignore them.
-The dirt layer within the Aquarium had been almost entirely broken up. The dirt particles I observed were much smaller and more evenly dispersed as opposed to last time, and hardly concealed any organisms at all.
-Some of the leaves of the Gibba and the Amblestegium sp. were browning, indicating that many of them may have died or been eaten.
Organisms observed:
I found this Closterium algae near the bottom of the Aquarium as well, strangely. It did move, but very slowly, so I attribute this to the currents within the Aquarium (Prescott 1954).
-Approximately the top fifth of the water had evaporated this time, and it was again replaced.
-Beta Fish food pellet added to the Aquarium on Oct. 26th, 2012. It was manufactured by "Atison's Beta Food", made by the Ocean Nutrition company, Aqua Pet Americas (located at 3528 West 500 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84104). The ingredients are as follows: Fish meal, wheat flower, soy meal, krill meal, minerals, vitamins and preservatives, resulting in a nutrional value of Crude Protein 36%; Crude fat 4.5%; Crude Fiber 3.5%; Moisture 8% and Ash 15% (McFarland 2012)
-The microscope model used was the Olympus CH30 microscope. The camcorder model was also recorded, but improperly, and will have to be rerecorded next time.
-I observed a larger quantity of organisms this time, but the variety remained roughly the same. This time, however, I noticed many more organisms floating freely around the Aqaurium, whereas previously, they were mostly concentrated within the dirt layer, though my examples below may show otherwise. Many of the free-floating organisms are indistinguishable from water droplets (and thus difficult to get a good photograph of), or organisms I had observed the prior week, so I had little choice but to ignore them.
-The dirt layer within the Aquarium had been almost entirely broken up. The dirt particles I observed were much smaller and more evenly dispersed as opposed to last time, and hardly concealed any organisms at all.
-Some of the leaves of the Gibba and the Amblestegium sp. were browning, indicating that many of them may have died or been eaten.
Organisms observed:
This Ameoba I found near the bottom of the Aquarium, not moving much on its own, although the insides were undulating rapidly (Rainis and Russell 1996).
These Diatoma algae were also found near the bottom, and resemble green rectangles (Prescott 1954).I suspect they were growing there due to the nutrients to be found in what little soil there was left.Monday, October 29, 2012
Entry 2
For observations taken on 10/26/2012:
-Roughly the top third of the water within the Aquarium had evaporated. I was instructed to replace the water with other water from a bottle prepared by the instructor, not from the source I used. No life forms could be observed in areas lacking the water.
-The dirt initially within the Aquarium was more evenly dispersed than I had observed previously.
-No changes had taken place with the placement of the Amblestegium or the Utricularia Gibba, despite the lowering of the water level.
Organisms.
I observed many organisms this time, some of which I was able to identify with the aid of the instructor. I will limit my description in this posting to a selection of what I was able to identify, as I would not be able to give much meaning to organisms I could not. All images identified with the aid of the instructor and Patterson's Free Living Freshwater Protozoa.
-Roughly the top third of the water within the Aquarium had evaporated. I was instructed to replace the water with other water from a bottle prepared by the instructor, not from the source I used. No life forms could be observed in areas lacking the water.
-The dirt initially within the Aquarium was more evenly dispersed than I had observed previously.
-No changes had taken place with the placement of the Amblestegium or the Utricularia Gibba, despite the lowering of the water level.
Organisms.
I observed many organisms this time, some of which I was able to identify with the aid of the instructor. I will limit my description in this posting to a selection of what I was able to identify, as I would not be able to give much meaning to organisms I could not. All images identified with the aid of the instructor and Patterson's Free Living Freshwater Protozoa.
This Vorticella (Patterson 2009) I found near the bottom of the tank, growing off a dirt particle. It ingests water using a corona it has, and it circulates it through the funnel structure.
I found this Lacrymaria (Patterson 2009) floating freely in the water of the cell. Note how it extends its flagella for movement.
Other organisms I found included a Euplote (Patterson 2009), a microbial insect that appeared to be as a cockroach, and several organisms that appeared to be Midge, which appeared to be a caterpillar that hid in dirt to swiftly attack its food sources. Unfortunately, I was unable to take any clearly identifiable photos of the former nor confirm the identity of the latter.
Things of note to do in next observation:
-Record model of microscope used.
-Analyze how the food pellet added may have had an effect on the organisms
-Analyze what effects replacing the water with different water might have had.
Citations
Cook, R, McFarland, K. 2013. General Botany 111 Lab Manual. 14th ed. Knoxville (TN).
Jahn, F. 1949. How to know the Protozoans. Dubique (IO): W.M.C Brown Company Punlishers. 102, 127, 211p.
Patterson, DJ. 2009. Free-Living Freshwater Protozoa: A Colour Guide. Manson Publishing. 113 p.
Prescott, G.W. 1954. The Freshwater Algae. Dubique (IO):W.M.C Brown Company Publishers. 71, 230p.
Rainis, K.G and Russell, B.J. 1996. Guide to Microlife. Danbury (CT): Groiler Publishers 155p.
Jahn, F. 1949. How to know the Protozoans. Dubique (IO): W.M.C Brown Company Punlishers. 102, 127, 211p.
Patterson, DJ. 2009. Free-Living Freshwater Protozoa: A Colour Guide. Manson Publishing. 113 p.
Prescott, G.W. 1954. The Freshwater Algae. Dubique (IO):W.M.C Brown Company Publishers. 71, 230p.
Rainis, K.G and Russell, B.J. 1996. Guide to Microlife. Danbury (CT): Groiler Publishers 155p.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Entry 1
Materials (10/16/12):
A Microaquarium - glass prism with a cap for an open end and a base opposite to it for observation. Dimensions and brand to be determined.
Water - Drawn from a specific source (the UT hospital pond for me). Must include water drawn from the sediment layer, layer above sediment layer, and surface layer.
Amblestegium and
Utricularia Gibba - Plants containing life forms to interact with the water they are placed in.
Microscope - For conducting observation. Model to be determined.
Setup:
1. I was given a small fiberglass prism of as of yet indeterminate dimensions, open on one end. Coming with it were a cap for the open end and a base for the end opposite the open end.
2. I was told to fill prism with water from a specific source, one of twelve. I chose the seventh source, water drawn from the pond at the University of Tennesee hospital upon Cherokee Trail. I was required to draw the source from three separate layers of the water provided: some from the dirt at the bottom, some from the water immediately above that, and some from the surface layer. The measurements were unspecified. I attempted to fill the prism (henceforth to be referred to as the "aquarium") with a third from each layer.
3. I was then told to fill the aquarium with two separate plants, Amblestegium and Utricularia Gibba. I kept them spread as far as I could in order to be able to view the full breadth of their contents and perhaps see life from one interact with the other.
4. Finally, I was to observe the aquarium under a microscope.
Findings:
I found several organisms, mostly among the plants, the Gibba in particular having many signs of life. I saw spherical organisms moving quickly among its leaves and out of sight, too fast for my microscope to follow. I saw undulating tuba-shaped structures coming off the leaves of the plant itself, and most promininently, I saw a microscopic translucent insect, apparently feeding on unknown black particles that appeared to be berries. I dubbed it "Scruffy".
A Microaquarium - glass prism with a cap for an open end and a base opposite to it for observation. Dimensions and brand to be determined.
Water - Drawn from a specific source (the UT hospital pond for me). Must include water drawn from the sediment layer, layer above sediment layer, and surface layer.
Amblestegium and
Utricularia Gibba - Plants containing life forms to interact with the water they are placed in.
Microscope - For conducting observation. Model to be determined.
Setup:
1. I was given a small fiberglass prism of as of yet indeterminate dimensions, open on one end. Coming with it were a cap for the open end and a base for the end opposite the open end.
2. I was told to fill prism with water from a specific source, one of twelve. I chose the seventh source, water drawn from the pond at the University of Tennesee hospital upon Cherokee Trail. I was required to draw the source from three separate layers of the water provided: some from the dirt at the bottom, some from the water immediately above that, and some from the surface layer. The measurements were unspecified. I attempted to fill the prism (henceforth to be referred to as the "aquarium") with a third from each layer.
3. I was then told to fill the aquarium with two separate plants, Amblestegium and Utricularia Gibba. I kept them spread as far as I could in order to be able to view the full breadth of their contents and perhaps see life from one interact with the other.
4. Finally, I was to observe the aquarium under a microscope.
Findings:
I found several organisms, mostly among the plants, the Gibba in particular having many signs of life. I saw spherical organisms moving quickly among its leaves and out of sight, too fast for my microscope to follow. I saw undulating tuba-shaped structures coming off the leaves of the plant itself, and most promininently, I saw a microscopic translucent insect, apparently feeding on unknown black particles that appeared to be berries. I dubbed it "Scruffy".
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