Week 2 Findings

This week marked the start of our microaquarium observations. Week 1 I set up the microaquarium and look at it under a microscope, but I did not identify anything. This week I went to the lab and studied the microaquarium for several hours. I was given much help from Dr. McFarland in identifying several species of insects, bacteria, etc. After studying the microaquarium for an hour or so, I placed the microaquarium under the camera, so I could identify species more easily.
There were several changes i noticed from week 1. This week there were many more insects and bacteria that I did not see the prior week. I verified several creatures with Dr. McFarland and proceeded to take pictures. The first creature I observed was an amoeba. Dr. McFarland identified it as Difflugia Coronata. I verified this in a freshwater protozoa handbook. Here is the picture I captured of the amoeba.

Fig. 186 Difflugia Sp. pg. 95*

*Patterson, D.J. Free-Living Freshwater Protoza. London, UK: Manson, 1996. Print.

Week 1 Happenings

So this week marks the start of our awesome microaquarium projects. These were fairly simple to set up. I received the actual microaquarium case, stand, and lid. I then color coded mine so it would be easy to find. The class was then shown 13 different water sources. We were to chose one that would serve as the water source for our microaquarium.
I chose water source:
12. Water pool below spring. Fountain City Park west of Broadway at Hotel Ave. Knox Co. Knoxville TN. Full shade exposure Spring Feed Pond N36 02.253 W83 55.986 990 ft 10/10/2010 
I fell the aquarium up to within a quarter inch of the top. The class was then directed to take samples from plant A and plant B and place these on separate sides of the aqarium. I then placed the aquarium under the microscope using the 4x objective.
General observations include several insects/bacteria/protists. I am not sure which I was viewing. But I saw what looked like a tiny caterpillar that was eating one of the plant stems. There was another snail looking creature that had buried himself down into the mud. It looked like a split pea and where it was split at the bottom all its legs and antennae were coming out.
I am looking forward to observing my aquarium next week. I hope the few creatures I observed are still alive.
Till then, Fare thee well.

First Blog

So glad i figured out how to set up this blog!!! I have never done this before so I am very excited! Cannot wait to start blogging about our lab experiments!