Thursday, November 11, 2010

Time for a Census

This week, as a observed the aquarium, I noticed that the soil and water levels had continued to decrease.  I added more added more distilled water to compensate.  Also this week, I decided to count some of the organisms that I have already identified.  I could have very well missed a few, but I counted 5 nauplii, 6 annelids, 8 nematodes, and 3 cyclopes.  I was somewhat surprised by the numerical count of the various organisms in the aquarium.  But, it is considered it to be an empire, so I shouldn't be too surprised by its population.  There are also an extensive amount of various paramecium.  I also identified a species of rotifer.  I have been seeing this organism making its way around town frequently in the past, and I finally resolved to identify it.  It is a Lepadella ovalis (Donner 18).  It is a oval shaped organism with a whip-like, pointed tail structure with two eyes.


Reference for Identification:
Donner, Josef. Rotifers. London: Fredrick Warn & Co. Ltd., 1968. 18.

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