a small Tintinnid

Franz Neidl · Post by **Franz Neidl** » Fri Dec 30, 2011 2:09 pm

A little work of art made by a marine protozoon. The lorica was only 50 µm high. The name of the family: Dictiocystidae (maybe Dictyocysta dilatata ?).
Obj. 40x, DIC.

Franz

Cactusdave · Post by **Cactusdave** » Fri Dec 30, 2011 2:17 pm

Absolutely great to see one of these alive. I have marveled at the variety and beauty of their empty cases so many times.

Mitch640 · Post by **Mitch640** » Sun Jan 01, 2012 5:14 am

Amazing. I live a thousand miles from any ocean, so I will only see these when you post them.

RogelioMoreno · Post by **RogelioMoreno** » Sun Jan 01, 2012 6:45 am

Very nice!

Rogelio

BJ · Post by BJ » Sun Jan 01, 2012 11:21 am

Franz,

a beautiful shot.

Definitely Dictyocysta, but I think D. mitra.

D. dilatata has a pointed base (not obvious in your photo), a more flared collar and a bigger difference in size of the "windows" between the collar and the body.

thanks for sharing,

with my best wishes,

Brian