11/10/10 Observations

Today's MicroAquarium again proved to be interesting. The most noticeable thing I observed was the decrease in population of many organisms, most noticeably the Lecane sp. rotifers. There seemed to be fewer of these swimming around near the mud and in open water. I also saw a large copepod Cyclops. I identified it by using a poster in the lab. The strange thing was, however, is that is was not moving at all. I believe it was dead. I am not certain why, but I imagine it was the same reason for the decrease in rotifer population: decreased food supply. It has been several weeks since the food tablet was put into the aquarium, and while there was a boom in population, it was only temporary. I also noticed a large worm squirming in the mud. I was fortunate to see this because I think that they are often hidden under the mud. The water level has continued to drop as well, possibly contributing to the decreased organism population.

11/3/10 Observations

Yesterday's observations were very interesting. I saw more Rotifers of varying size (mostly very small) than ever before. I think that the feeding pill that was put in last week greatly increased the reproduction of many of the organisms. The most common Rotifer I saw was the Lacane sp. Rotifer (Thorp 234). Large oxygen bubbles are still attached to the plant in the water, probably a result of photosynthesis. The water level has also continued to decreased from evaporation. I spotted a new organism, an Aeolosoma sp. Annelid (Thorp 418). There may be many in the MicroAquarium, but I only saw two. With Dr. McFarland's help I took pictures of the Aeolosoma sp. Annelid and Lacane sp. Rotfier on 10X magnification, as pictured above.

Paramecium sp. in Utricularia sp. Bladder; 10/27/10 Observations

While completing my weekly MicroAquarium observations today, I observed a number of changes and interesting organisms. The water level has fallen about 1/4 inch, and numerous oxygen bubbles have formed next to the plant. The Rotifer population has increased, especially noticeable away from the mud at the bottom. I also spotted a long worm wriggling halfway out of the mud, but failed to identify it. Additionally, I observed a large sac near the bottom. With Dr. McFarland's help, I identified it to be the bladder of a Utricularia plant with Paramecium swarming inside who were eating away at the dead plant (McFarland 2010). This was very intriguing, so I decided to take a video of it. After capturing the bladder with 10x and 40x maginification, Dr. McFarland helped me locate another Utricularia plant specimen. I separated the bladders off the stem, cut it open, and observed the individual Paramecium outside of the Utricularia sac. To do so I used the dissecting microscope and razor blade. The above video documents my observations of the Utricularia bladder and Paramecium. 

On Monday, October 22, 2010, Dr. McFarland put a food pellet into each MicroAquarium tank. The specs of the food is as follows: ""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%" (McFarland 2010).

I believe that this food pellet played a major role in the growing population of various species (especially Rotifer) that I observed.

10/20/10 Weekly Observation

Today I observed my MicroAquarium and saw numerous organisms swimming around. Using 10x magnification, I scanned the entire aquarium. Like last week, majority of the organisms I saw were in or on the perimeter of the sediment at the bottom. I observed movement within the mud and, according to the identification posters in the lab room, is due to a Spirogyra: a protist with long, hairlike arms. There was more movement under the sediment, but the mud concealed what caused it. On the outskirts of the mud, invertebrate Cyclops (Acopepod) and Dugesia (Planaria) were observed, again with the aid of the organism posters in the classroom. Like last week, I observed small, quick moving organisms around plants (away from the mud, mostly). I found out that these are Rotifers. In addition, Dr. McFarland helped me identify Vorticella in the sediment, which were long and skinny with a cup-like extension on one end. Of all these organisms, the rotifers are most populous, and only a few of the others were observed. I wonder if the populations of the organisms will change in future weeks.

10/13/10 Aquarium Set-Up

Today I set up my MicroAquarium during lab. We chose from 13 water sources from various places in the area to fill our aquarium. We filled it with our chosen water, mud from the water, and plants, and then observed them under a microscope. I chose source #8: water from the Tennessee River across from the Knoxville sewer plant. This water source is fully exposed to sunlight, is at an elevation of 813 ft, and is part of the French Broad and Holston Rivers water sheds (McFarland). I chose this because I anticipated seeing many organisms because of the rich sediment in the water. I did see many moving organisms under the microscope, some small and some large. I do not know the names of the organisms yet, but will soon find out. The few millimeters of mud at the bottom seems to attract the most organisms, probably for food and protection.