Amoeba. Polychaos dubium

Charles Krebs · Post by **Charles Krebs** » Wed Apr 27, 2011 1:55 pm

Edit: Initial identification corrected in title. Thanks Ferry!

It has been some time since I've come upon a nice large amoeba. Found this one last night. (Usual ID disclaimer for me... don't count on this ID but its my best guess for now

)

Cactusdave · Post by **Cactusdave** » Thu Apr 28, 2011 12:12 am

Very nice shot. These big amoebae are a treat to find, especially if they are free from the usual mud and debris they seem to love.

Ferry · Post by **Ferry** » Mon May 09, 2011 2:11 pm

Hi Charles,

It is not a Mayorella. Mayorella species have typical conical pseudopods. This species is also much larger. However it is hard to identify the right name from one picture. I guess it is a Polychaos, probably Polychaos dubium, but it could also be Amoeba proteus starting to move.
The picture is beautiful.

Ferry

Mitch640 · Post by **Mitch640** » Tue May 10, 2011 4:10 am

Yes, a fantastic picture. There is so much detail and so much to look at.

Charles Krebs · Post by **Charles Krebs** » Tue May 10, 2011 11:10 am

Ferry,

Thanks for the ID assistance.

BTW, I tried my first video (with the bad ID incorporated) with the T3i/600D with this critter. Don't judge the video capabilities of the camera by this sample as I really am a video novice, and I left everything to the camera (auto everything). Some of the segments were at ISO 1600, which is much higher than I want. (This is a ".wmv" format, so I don't know if MAC people can play it).
http://krebsmicro.com/videos/amoeba.wmv

I think my second video attempt is a little better... but I still have a long way to go!
http://krebsmicro.com/videos/hydra_f.wmv

Mitch640 · Post by **Mitch640** » Tue May 10, 2011 11:21 am

They look fine to me. Really smooth and very detailed. It looks like you set the second one for streaming, which worked very well. No stop and start for me.

rjlittlefield · Post by **rjlittlefield** » Tue May 10, 2011 12:28 pm

Awesome videos! A treat to watch with my new high bandwidth cable modem.

--Rik

canonian · Post by **canonian** » Tue May 10, 2011 1:26 pm

You're a man of many skills, Charles.
I enjoyed both the stills and the video's.
The hydra is like watching ballet.

Since you put al in auto mode my guess is I'm watching the 'Video Snapshot' mode ? Tried the 'Movie Digital Zoom' feature yet?
Not enough features to upgrade my T2i/550D, although I envy the swivel display.

Ferry · Post by **Ferry** » Tue May 10, 2011 2:04 pm

Yes, it is Polychaos dubium!
And yes, it is splendid!

RogelioMoreno · Post by **RogelioMoreno** » Tue May 10, 2011 2:17 pm

Amazing video!

Rogelio

Charles Krebs · Post by **Charles Krebs** » Tue May 10, 2011 2:23 pm

Thanks all.

The amoeba was all "auto" but not "Video Snapshot" mode. Just selected sections of a few clips. It made me realize that like so many other things in photography, "auto everything" is not for me. The hydra was shot with all settings "manual", and with custom white balance and some modified image parameters. Pleased with the result, but I'm still fumbling too much to hit the right buttons by "feel", since I can't really see the camera back when it is on the trinocular tube. When it comes to editing and rendering I just need much more practice.

Ferry... Polychaos dubium it will now be.

Thanks!

arturoag75 · Post by **arturoag75** » Wed May 11, 2011 12:05 am

Superb video Charlie and awesome shot of ameba

!
best
arturo

fpelectronica · Post by **fpelectronica** » Wed May 11, 2011 12:29 am

Magnificent and breathtaking videos
Francisco