travelling diatoms

Franz Neidl · Post by **Franz Neidl** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 1:40 am

This are "travelling" diatoms (as epiphytes) attached to a living (marine) copepod. I dont know the species of the copepod and of the diatoms.

3 pictures:
1.) Obj. 10x, DIC, stack with 8 pics
2.) Obj. 20x, DIC, 9 pictures
3.) Obj. 20x, Phasecontrast, 7 pics

Franz

Mitch640 · Post by **Mitch640** » Sat Oct 23, 2010 3:27 am

We would call those "hitchhikers" here. Like sticky weed seeds grabbing on to your pants leg as you walk through a field.

Very nice shots and kind of a good way for the diatoms to get around without expending their own energy. LOL

Charles Krebs · Post by **Charles Krebs** » Sat Oct 23, 2010 11:31 am

Nice shots Franz.

These copepods move about so rapidly and constantly, it's sort of fascinating that diatoms are able to "latch" on, and then hang on with such a strong "bond".