Radiating Amoeba

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 3:26 am

These things usually do not do this unless you can get them suspended in the water. I guess the psuedopodia are exteneded like this to locate a suitable substrate to grasp on to. I am not too sure as to what this thing has formed a vacuole around. From what I have read about amoebae they are very selective in what they eat, so I guess size doesn't really matter here, quality not quantity it seems.

Radiating Amoeba
Sony DSC-P200
Auto mode
1/100 sec. @ f/2.8 ISO 100
Zeiss Axiostar Plus, 40X/0.65 CP Achromat (Zeiss)
Oblique halogen illumination with 18mm darkfield stop off center

bernhardinho · Post by **bernhardinho** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 6:08 am

Hi Ken

beautiful image of what I take to be an Astramoeba radiosa. It probably "swallowed" something nice and delicious like a ciliate.

Bernhard

Wolfgang Bettighofer · Mon Apr 02, 2007 9:00 am

Hi Ken,

as Bernhardinho said: Very nice picture! I tooked it for my reference until such time as I will have the chance to take a similar picture.
A fine development of COL-technique, good contrast and depth of focus.

I'm sure you're working with Photoshop or something like that. I suggest to give more brightness to the picture. When you photographing a white paper automatic exposure causes a picture with 18%gray. So brightfield photos of hyaline objects show a tendency getting too dark.

Kind regards, Wolfgang

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 2:57 pm

Thanks Bernhard and Wolfgang.

After closer examination of the image it does appear that it has engulfed a ciliate more than likely. I have PhotoShop 4.0 but I find it awkwards to use and therefore rely mainly on my old version of Photo Impact 6, which really serves my needs much better and I am more familar with it. I will take your advice about lightening the images a bit there Wolfgang, I think it would be a marked improvement, I just never thought about it that much. Thanks again guys

beetleman · Post by **beetleman** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 3:07 pm

A great photo Ken. Nice sharp detail on the amoeba

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 4:22 pm

Thanks Doug

Wim van Egmond · Post by **Wim van Egmond** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 3:34 am

Hello Ken,

I think this is the shape many amoebas obtain when they are disturbed. Worth investigating!

I have to hurry. I have been travelling and an awfull lot of work has been piled up. As always.

More later!

Wim

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 4:28 am

Thanks Wim, don't get to far behind in your work, I know how that goes.