Observations from November 18th

On November 18th the tank's population of motile organisms was significantly reduced while the growth of bacterias and algae was largely unchanged.  The water level in the tank had also been reduced significantly, leaving the tank roughly half full.

This green algae was present in moderate quantities in the aquarium. (Forest 1954)

Epalxis spp. can be distinguished by the cilia and the cleft on the organism.  Pictures of this organism were relatively difficult to obtain due to their high movement speed.  Populations of this organism were considerably higher than most other organisms. (Patterson 2003)

Populations of this organism were moderate, though slightly smaller than those of previous weeks. (Patterson 2003)

Nodularia is a cyanobacteria that is easily distinguishable by the joints present on the filaments. (Forest 1954)

This organism was seen for the first time this week and only one Paramecium was seen. (Patterson 2003)

This algae was was present in large quantities throughout the entire aquarium. (Forest 1954)

Although several Tachysoma were present this week, their numbers were also significantly reduced. (Patterson 2003)

This Rotifer was characterized by a rather lumpy bodily appearance and two long toes.

This casing was likely the egg of a Rotifer, the organism inside could be seen rotating, but the overall encasement was stationary.

This Rotifer, though somewhat similar to the other unidentified Rotifer, was smaller when compared to other Rotifers seen, also this Rotifer seemed to have a much lighter appearance and longer toes.

This Rotifer was seen tunneling into a plant present within the aquarium, an accurate identification was difficult since the Rotifer never left its tunnel.

Citations 

Forest S. 1954. Handbook of Algae. Knoxville. The University of Tennessee Press.

McFarland, Kenneth [Internet] Botany 111 Fall 2014. [cited 11/26/2014]. Available from              http://botany1112014.blogspot.com/

Patterson DJ. 2003. Free-living Freshwater Protozoa. Washington DC. ASM Press.

Observations from November 10th

On November 10th several species were documented, although the population was still rather active, there was a notable decline from the activity present in the previous week.  The aquarium had a large amount of algae growing and filling the empty spaces. My water source is the Carter Mill Park at spring source, Carter Mill Road, Knox Co. Tennessee Partial shade exposure N36 01.168 W83 42.832 940 ft 10/12/2014.


Organisms

The Chaetonotus species were by far the most abundant organisms in the micro aquarium this week and have been consistently throughout the project. (Patterson 2003)

This algae species was relatively abundant in the micro aquarium and is largely characterized by its joints. (Forest 1954)

Coleochaete is an algae that was present in small amounts within the aquarium.  It is easily distinguished by the small jointed pieces. (Forest 1954)

Coleps is a cilliate species and was present in moderate numbers within the tank this week.  It should be noted that were fewer Coleps this week than last week. (Patterson 2003)

Epalxis is an incredibly small organism that proved to be difficult to capture an image of and was present in moderate amounts in the micro aquarium. (Patterson 2003)

Stylaria were rather large worm-like organisms with large spines, I noticed two in the micro aquarium  this week.  This species tended to stay at the bottom of the aquarium.

Tachysoma was present in moderate quantities in the tank, it should be noted that the populations of this species were depleted from the previous week. (Patterson 2003)

Euplodus, a relatively abundant micro organism, had a small belt-like feature that appeared as if it was spinning on the organism. (Patterson 2003)

The Nematode present in this image was moving continuously and was incredibly large relative to the other organisms in the micro aquarium.

Several Rotifers were viewed in the micro aquarium with the appearance of the one above.  The viewed Rotifers all had a rather wrinkled look and had two toes.  It should be noted that images of the Rotifers were rather difficult to obtain due to their movement.

This spiraling algae was present in moderate quantities and was very distinctive due to the spiraling appearance. (Forest 1954)

Bibliography

Forest S. 1954. Handbook of Algae. Knoxville. The University of Tennessee Press.

McFarland, Kenneth [Internet] Botany 111 Fall 2014. [cited 11/26/2014]. Available from             http://botany1112014.blogspot.com/

Patterson DJ. 2003. Free-living Freshwater Protozoa. Washington DC. ASM Press.