Week 2!

(Fig. 1)-Philodina Rotifer-(Rainis, Russell 1996)
p. 179

(Fig. 2)-Philodina Rotifer-(Rainis, Russell 1996)
p. 179

I am pleased to report that one week after the initial creation and observation of my microaquarium a significant increase in activity could be seen. As i scoured the aquarium for signs of new organisms, the first thing that immediately jumped out at me was a spherical green object that contained a hexagon shape in the middle. Unfortunately, my enthusiasm was crushed after discovering that it was in fact an air bubble. I continued to peruse the aquarium and came across several tiny organisms inching along in the way a snail might, which I was able to identify as Philodina Rotifers (Fig. 1 and 2) (Rainis, Russell 1996). Upon further examination I found a Seed Shrimp (Rainis, Russell 1996) and transparent organisms with antenna that were identified as Cyclops (Fig. 3) (Rainis, Russell 1996). I then noticed stationary, transparent objects that were connected to the plants, which I discovered were bladders that the plant puts off that an organism will get into cannot get out of, and the plant will eventually digest it. Finally, I found very tiny, green, spore looking objects that were floating just above the sediment line. These were identified as Desmids (Tiffany and Britton 1952).

(Fig. 3)-Cyclops-(Rainis, Russell 1996)
p.204

First Step

After reading about the different water sources, I chose the water from the pond at the University of Tennessee Hospital on Cherokee Trail in Knox County to begin my microaquarium project. It is a storm sewage sediment pond and receives full exposure to the sun. I first selected soil and water from the bottom of the container, followed by water from just above the sediment, water from the middle, water just above middle, and finally water from the surface. I then placed 2 plants (A and B) in the microaquarium. Upon initial examination with the naked eye, I did not see any organisms. After placing the aquarium on the microscope, I discovered one organism that was transparent and round, and it was feasting on one of my plants. It moved about very rapidly and eventually disappeared in the sediment at the bottom of the tank.

Water Source- Pond at University of Tennessee Hospital. Cherokee Trail. Knox Co. Knoxville TN Full sun exposure. Storm sewer sediment pond N35 56.305 W83 56.717 850 ft 10/9/2011 Chara sp. Green alga in Family Characeae.

Plant A. Amblestegium sp. Moss. Collection from: Natural spring. at Carters Mill Park, Carter Mill Road, Knox Co. TN. Partial shade exposure. N36 01.168 W83 42.832. 10/9/2011

Plant B. 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