Hydra viridis

RogelioMoreno · Post by **RogelioMoreno** » Fri Mar 22, 2013 10:19 am

I found some of this specimen on my sample. I was curious about something left on the coverslip by the hydra after it moved from one place to other, I found that they are nematocysts used for locomotion.

#1: Plan Fluor 4/0.13 darkfield.
#2 and #3: Plan Apo 20/0.75, DIC

On #2 we can see the hydra using the nematocysts (they are sticky).
On #3 the nematocysts left by the hydra after using them.

Rogelio

pwnell · Post by **pwnell** » Sun Mar 24, 2013 10:55 am

Very interesting.

RogelioMoreno · Post by **RogelioMoreno** » Sun Mar 24, 2013 2:35 pm

Waldo, thank you.

Rogelio

carlos.uruguay · Post by **carlos.uruguay** » Fri Apr 12, 2013 7:58 pm

Marvelous document! Especially the last

uaalgae · Post by **uaalgae** » Wed Apr 24, 2013 11:00 am

I believe the nematocysts are used for defense, aren't they?

RogelioMoreno · Post by **RogelioMoreno** » Wed Apr 24, 2013 8:56 pm

uaalgae,

You can read more info about the four types of nematocysts of the Hydra on the following link:

http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/tech ... cysts.html

Rogelio