A "What is it?" (Edit: Answer posted!)

René · Post by **René** » Mon Nov 12, 2012 4:39 pm

Arcella in mucus? Or something from the vacuum cleaner?

Best wishes, René

Charles Krebs · Post by **Charles Krebs** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 1:31 am

And the answer is.....
the cyst of a very large ciliate, Bursaria truncatella.

I had found 3 specimens in a collected sample and moved them into a petri dish. I put one on a slide and took a few shots and tried some video. Here's the one I photographed.

When I went back the next day to work with the other two, it was obvious they were undergoing a transformation so I left them alone. When I checked the following day they were fully encysted and this is the "quiz" image. The petri dish had adequate water (from the collected source) but it was clear water, with no visible food for the Bursaria. I found it to be a stunning transformation.

The video turned out to be a half-hearted attempt since I was set up intending to take flash shots of these constantly moving subjects. Unfortunately the viewing LED my flash "module" will not give me even illumination for a 4X in darkfield (10X and up is fine) so there are segments in the video where the lighting is poor.... very uneven. But they are fascinating ciliates so I posted it up on YouTube for those who have never seen one in action.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5XmJskEAPE

I've posted pictures of several of these over the years, and some of these can be seen here:

http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/v ... php?t=4329
http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/v ... php?t=6243
http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/v ... php?t=4286

Jacek · Post by **Jacek** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 3:35 am

all you do is beautiful

Ecki · Post by **Ecki** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 8:19 am

Nice darkfield shots.

arturoag75 · Post by **arturoag75** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 8:52 am

Amazing Charlie!
this is a rare example of darkfield!
arturo

RogelioMoreno · Post by **RogelioMoreno** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 4:55 pm

Charles,

Beautiful and amazing!

Rogelio

Wim van Egmond · Post by **Wim van Egmond** » Wed Nov 14, 2012 12:54 am

That is really surprising. Patience rewarded. And a very nice video!

Wim