Hydra nematocysts

Images made through a microscope. All subject types.

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Charles Krebs
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Hydra nematocysts

Post by Charles Krebs »

Here you see them in place on a hydra tentacle. (100X S Plan Apo)
Image

Here are two "discharged" ones that have not hit any prey. (100X S Plan Apo)
Image

This is from an older post ( http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/v ... hp?t=29301 ) but it fits nicely here since you can see a "fired" nematocyst attached to potential prey (didn't succumb to the hydra in this case). (40X S Plan Apo)

Image

Tom Jones
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Post by Tom Jones »

Absolutely beautiful! I find the first one particularly stunning.

Marek Mis
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Post by Marek Mis »

Very informative images, Charlie !

Marek

Jacek
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Post by Jacek »

Very nice :D

discomorphella
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Post by discomorphella »

Great shots. I especially like number 3 though. I've always wondered how toxic the hydra's venom is towards a cladoceran or similar prey. Clearly its not a "one hit" kill since this one has survived at least 2 shots...

David

p.s. where did you find the hydra?

zzffnn
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Post by zzffnn »

Amazing photos! Thank you for sharing.
Selling my Canon FD 200mm F/2.8 lens

Charles Krebs
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Post by Charles Krebs »

Thanks for the kind remarks.
discomorphella wrote:Great shots. I especially like number 3 though. I've always wondered how toxic the hydra's venom is towards a cladoceran or similar prey. Clearly its not a "one hit" kill since this one has survived at least 2 shots...

David

p.s. where did you find the hydra?
David,
They were found in a local (North Bend) marsh here in WA. I've seen plenty of water fleas "escape" a hydra. "Softer" bodied prey, like most midge larva, seem to be far more vulnerable. That's one reason why I was interested in this biting midge larva. At the entry point of each "harpoon" was the dark spot seen in this third image. There were quite a few of these spots but the larva seemed perfectly fine and active. This is all anecdotal, but the biting midge larva I have observed seem to be tougher critters than other midge larva. On multiple occasions I have seen a non-biting midge hit one hydra tentacle and basically become immediately paralyzed. In several cases where the hydra decided not to "eat" it, I isolated the larva and continued to observe it. Never recovered.

carlos.uruguay
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Post by carlos.uruguay »

Wooooowwww super!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

hkv
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Post by hkv »

Very nice!
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