Two days ago I found this Actinotroch larva from a Horseshoe worm (Phoronidae). I think this is Actinotrocha branchiata but I am not completely sure about it.
This larva has a very interesting shape and an interesting metamorphosis to an adult animal.
2 pictures with Obj. 10x, DIC.
Franz
a marine Phoronis larva
Moderators: rjlittlefield, ChrisR, Chris S., Pau
-
- Posts: 747
- Joined: Wed Jan 14, 2009 11:59 am
- Location: Italy
- Charles Krebs
- Posts: 5865
- Joined: Tue Aug 01, 2006 8:02 pm
- Location: Issaquah, WA USA
- Contact:
Dear Franz,
thank you for another fascinating subject, beautifully photographed.
I am sure (well 99.9%) that you are right with your identification. The number of tentacles is important (although the number increases as the larva grows). I count at least 14, most other species have ~10 or less. Another key point is the presence of pigmented spots on the "hood" and base of the tentacles. Finally size is a clue, the larvae of most species are <1000 um. Actinotrocha branchiata can get up to 2000 um.
We must drag Charles away from his nail polish (!) and get him to give you some competition with the marine plankton.
thank you,
kind regards,
Brian
thank you for another fascinating subject, beautifully photographed.
I am sure (well 99.9%) that you are right with your identification. The number of tentacles is important (although the number increases as the larva grows). I count at least 14, most other species have ~10 or less. Another key point is the presence of pigmented spots on the "hood" and base of the tentacles. Finally size is a clue, the larvae of most species are <1000 um. Actinotrocha branchiata can get up to 2000 um.
We must drag Charles away from his nail polish (!) and get him to give you some competition with the marine plankton.
thank you,
kind regards,
Brian
- Charles Krebs
- Posts: 5865
- Joined: Tue Aug 01, 2006 8:02 pm
- Location: Issaquah, WA USA
- Contact:
- Wim van Egmond
- Posts: 826
- Joined: Tue Aug 15, 2006 9:28 am
- Location: Berkel en Rodenrijs, the Netherlands
- Contact:
Dear Franz,
It is great to see all your plankton finds. It is such an endless source of wonders. This is a very spectacular one and excellent images. Perhaps interesting to look at 2 images that I have posted a long time ago.
http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/v ... ight=larva
Wim
It is great to see all your plankton finds. It is such an endless source of wonders. This is a very spectacular one and excellent images. Perhaps interesting to look at 2 images that I have posted a long time ago.
http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/v ... ight=larva
Wim