Bdelloid rotifer (Philodina?). 1st image showing rotifer juggling Trachelomonas. 2nd showing gullet/mastax. 3rd showing upper gullet region/"mouth". This last image is a little noisy.
All images:
Microscope: Zeiss Standard GFL
Ocular: Zeiss Kpl 10/18
Objective: Leitz 40/0.7 NPL Fluotar ICT
Substage: Leitz ICT
Differential Interference Contrast
Flash
Sample from moss/water garden pond 13 Oct 2007
I have just upgraded the Zeiss Standard GFL by the addition of a Zeiss intermediate tube, which gives me a proper place to insert the polarising filter/analyser for DIC. The image quality is improved, particularly at lower magnifications because previously it was difficult to ensure the analyser was normal to the optical axis. I made my own filter slider to fit the filter slot in the intermediate tube (what PAY for a filter holder when I can make one myself?!). The x40 objective always gave an acceptable image, but now I think there is a slight improvement in quality. It is, however, most noticeable with the x16 objective.