Works Cited

Britton ME, Tiffany LH. 1952. The Algae of Illinois. The University of Chicago Press. 182p.

Hartmut, Bick. 1972. Ciliated Protozoa. World Health Organization. 79p.

Leidy, Joseph. 1879. Fresh-Water Rhizopods of North America. Washington Government Printing Office. Page Not Numbered.                                                

Rainis KG, Russell BJ. 1996. Guide to Microlife. Franklin Watts. 179, 200, 204, 209, 230p.

Smith DG. 2001. Pennak's Freshwater Invertebrates of the U.S. John Wiley and Sons Inc. 126p.

Final Observation

This past Thursday, I made the final observations of my micro aquarium. As I had suspected based off of last week's observations, microbial activity in the aquarium had deteriorated even further. More stationary skeletons could be seen resting on the soil surface, and fewer species were present. Whereas previously I had been able to pick out multiple varieties of species, there was an overwhelming presence of Seed Shrimp and Cyclops in the final observation. I came across one organism that I did not recognize, which had four legs and antenna. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a mite; Dr. McFarland suspected that some had found their way into the aquariums and were traveling from one to the next. On the up-side though I was able to find one new species that I had not yet seen before! It was a Nematode, which destroy arthropod pests. The Nematodes locate, burrow, and release bacteria that terminates them (Rainis, Russell 1996). I had a lot of observing my micro aquarium and think that it made a great final project.

Week 4

This past Tuesday after class, I went to the lab to observe my micro aquarium and was very disappointed. Thus far, the aquatic activity inside the aquarium has bolstered, revealing new organism species and algae. However, this was the first week that I have found a decrease in micro organism activity. I surveyed my aquarium for the better part of an hour simply trying to find something that I had yet to identify but to no avail. Unfortunately, what I did find was motionless carcasses of my organisms resting near the soil line. From this point on, I can only assume that activity within the aquarium will continue to decrease unless possibly another food source is implemented.

Week 3

(Fig. 1)-Colpidium-(Hartmut 1972)
p. 79 

This week I was able to notice even more activity taking place in my microaquarium. Last week, we received an email from Dr. McFarland stating that a food pellet of  "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% had been placed inside the aquariums, which seems to explain the increase in activity. The first new organism I noticed was identified as a cilliate and more specifically a Colpidium, which eat bacteria and small flagellates (Fig. 1) (Bick 1972). I then noticed several new objects swimming around, which were identified as amiboi organisms, and more specifically, Difflugia pyriformis (Fig. 2) (Leidy 1879). These organisms swim and ingest granules from around it. Finally, I viewed a slender, slug like organism moving about, which I was able to identify as a Gastrotricha (Fig. 3) (Smith 2001).

(Fig. 2)-Difflugia pyriformis-(Leidy 1879)
page not numbered 

(Fig. 3)-Gastrotricha-(Smith 2001)
p.126 

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