The pond water receded by 50% about a month ago, and so I went back to the lake to the same region and procured more water to fill it up. I am sure I added a few more lifeforms to what was already there as a few days before starting this post, I noticed an explosion of small aquatic snails. A survey of the water sample suggested that many of the same critters still remained such as Daphnia, Spirostomum, rotifers Halteria, but on Day 80 when I peered again, two new microscopic denizens made their appearance.

12. Lachrymaria. A fleeting dance of this ciliate excited me to no end. I wish I could have gazed at the sample long enough. Lachrymaria can extend its “neck” 10 times its body length and also eats other ciliates. I am hoping it flourishes in the pond culture.

13. Unknown chlorophyte (moving period/full stop)?  Under the microscopes, these look like moving periods/full stops. Their dark color doesnt give away any characteristic cellular features. I looked to identify it in some of the books I have, but I can imagine that this species doesnt get much attention. i also saw it in the Dipor Beel water sample . My current hypothesis is that this is a chlorophyte alga, with a dark pigment. I think I see a pyeroid like body as in chlamydomonas, but this needs further investigation.

Previous posts with this pond water sample: Day 1 , Day 6 , Day 17 , Day 27 , Day 31