<p>
 After my experience and learning with the Dal Lake water sample, I have been constantly on the lookout for water ecosystems. Recently, I visited my sister’s home at the ‘Organo Eco-Habitat’ in Hyderabad, where there is an artificial pond.
</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image">
 <img alt="642ed5ce-b09a-4681-9f21-61eb58bdc5ad" class="wp-image-181438 gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="181438" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}' data-image-title="642ed5ce-b09a-4681-9f21-61eb58bdc5ad" data-recalc-dims="1" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_180954/642ed5ce-b09a-4681-9f21-61eb58bdc5ad.jpg"/>
 <figcaption>
  Organo pond with Macrophytes
 </figcaption>
</figure>
<div class="wp-block-media-text alignwide has-media-on-the-right">
 <figure class="wp-block-media-text__media">
  <img alt="be2c9af3-8054-4776-8aa0-d29c6cd6c18a" class="wp-image-181722 gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="181722" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}' data-image-title="be2c9af3-8054-4776-8aa0-d29c6cd6c18a" data-recalc-dims="1" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_180954/be2c9af3-8054-4776-8aa0-d29c6cd6c18a-1.jpg"/>
 </figure>
 <div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
  <p>
   I collected water from a corner of the pond, in which I found an insect wing to begin with!
  </p>
 </div>
</div>
<h2>
 I. Life around an insect wing
</h2>
<div class="wp-block-media-text alignwide">
 <figure class="wp-block-media-text__media">
  <video alt="IMG_1589.mp4" class="gcloudimg" controls="" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_180954/IMG_1589.mp4">
  </video>
 </figure>
 <div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
  <p>
   Viewing the insect wing under the Foldscope, I saw many green ciliates with cirri at the posterior end. Are they
   <em>
    Euplotes
   </em>
   ? And do you see food vacuoles inside the
   <em>
    Euplotes
   </em>
   ?
  </p>
 </div>
</div>
<div class="wp-block-media-text alignwide">
 <figure class="wp-block-media-text__media">
  <video alt="IMG_1600.mp4" class="gcloudimg" controls="" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_180954/IMG_1600.mp4">
  </video>
 </figure>
 <div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
  <p>
   Watch this colourless elongated unicellular animal with a long proboscis at the anterior end and a small tail-like extension in the posterior. We see many vacuoles in the cell body. This animal repeatedly extends its proboscis to gather up microbes. It is a
   <em>
    Dileptus sp.
   </em>
  </p>
 </div>
</div>
<div class="wp-block-media-text alignwide">
 <figure class="wp-block-media-text__media">
  <video alt="IMG_1597.mp4" class="gcloudimg" controls="" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_180954/IMG_1597.mp4">
  </video>
 </figure>
 <div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
  <p>
   I found this new (for me) species of
   <strong>
    Rotifer
   </strong>
   busy scraping the algae attached on the insect wing.
  </p>
 </div>
</div>
<div class="wp-block-media-text alignwide">
 <figure class="wp-block-media-text__media">
  <video alt="IMG_1608.TRIM_.mp4" class="gcloudimg" controls="" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_180954/IMG_1608.TRIM_.mp4">
  </video>
 </figure>
 <div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
  <p>
   Here is an arthropod with transparent body, a pair of antennae and one red eye. I think it is a
   <strong>
    Copepod
   </strong>
   .
   <br/>
  </p>
 </div>
</div>
<h2>
 II. Life around a decaying leaf
</h2>
<div class="wp-block-media-text alignwide has-media-on-the-right">
 <figure class="wp-block-media-text__media">
  <img alt="IMG_1700" class="wp-image-182990 gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="182990" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"2.4","credit":"","camera":"iPad (6th generation)","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1570789531","copyright":"","focal_length":"3.3","iso":"25","shutter_speed":"0.0029498525073746","title":"","orientation":"6"}' data-image-title="IMG_1700" data-recalc-dims="1" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_180954/IMG_1700-1.jpg"/>
 </figure>
 <div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
  <p>
   The water looked very clear, but there was a decaying leaf in it. On an impulse I scratched the leaf gently and put the scratched stuff on the slide with a drop of water. A beautiful
   <em>
    Spirogyra sp.
   </em>
   with spiral chloroplasts came into focus.
  </p>
 </div>
</div>
<div class="wp-block-media-text alignwide">
 <figure class="wp-block-media-text__media">
  <video alt="IMG_1624.mp4" class="gcloudimg" controls="" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_180954/IMG_1624.mp4">
  </video>
 </figure>
 <div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
  <p>
   There were different species of
   <em>
    Euglenoids
   </em>
   in this water sample. Here you see two types of eukaryotes with green pigment and red eye-spots –
   <br/>
   one pear-shaped,
   <em>
    Euglena sp
   </em>
   ., the other leaf-like,
   <em>
    Phacus sp
   </em>
   ..
  </p>
 </div>
</div>
<div class="wp-block-media-text alignwide">
 <figure class="wp-block-media-text__media">
  <video alt="IMG_1620.TRIM_.mp4" class="gcloudimg" controls="" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_180954/IMG_1620.TRIM_.mp4">
  </video>
 </figure>
 <div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
  <p>
   The euglenoid locomotion of this long tailed green eukaryote is mesmerizing. This beauty is a genius in physics and biology!! It is
   <em>
    Phacus helicoides
   </em>
   .
  </p>
 </div>
</div>
<div class="wp-block-media-text alignwide">
 <figure class="wp-block-media-text__media">
  <video alt="IMG_1646.mp4" class="gcloudimg" controls="" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_180954/IMG_1646.mp4">
  </video>
 </figure>
 <div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
  <p>
   <em>
    Phacus
   </em>
   are not commonly found in stagnant water due to lack of sufficient organic deposition. Since different species of
   <em>
    Phacus
   </em>
   are present in this pond, it means there is rich organic matter around.
   <br/>
  </p>
  <p>
   Here is another euglenoid, to the left of a diatom. See how it slowly stretches out its body! I think it is
   <em>
    Euglena ehrenbergii.
   </em>
  </p>
  <p>
   Swimming around the periphery of the field of view is another pear-shaped
   <em>
    Euglena sp..
   </em>
  </p>
 </div>
</div>
<div class="wp-block-media-text alignwide">
 <figure class="wp-block-media-text__media">
  <video alt="IMG_1632.mp4" class="gcloudimg" controls="" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_180954/IMG_1632.mp4">
  </video>
 </figure>
 <div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
  <p>
   Here is a
   <em>
    <strong>
     Heliozoan
    </strong>
   </em>
   , commonly called a ‘sun – animalcule’, which is a protozoan with many axopodia arranged radially. We can clearly see the ectoplasm, endoplasm and a green food vacuole to its right.
   <br/>
  </p>
 </div>
</div>
<h2>
 III. All in one drop!
</h2>
<div class="wp-block-media-text alignwide">
 <figure class="wp-block-media-text__media">
  <video alt="IMG_1578.TRIM_-1.mp4" class="gcloudimg" controls="" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_180954/IMG_1578.TRIM_-1.mp4">
  </video>
 </figure>
 <div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
  <p>
   <span>
    There was a sudden jerk in the slide. As I focused I saw two worms moving swiftly.
   </span>
  </p>
 </div>
</div>
<div class="wp-block-media-text alignwide">
 <figure class="wp-block-media-text__media">
  <video alt="IMG_1585.TRIM_-1.mp4" class="gcloudimg" controls="" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_180954/IMG_1585.TRIM_-1.mp4">
  </video>
 </figure>
 <div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
  <p>
   The anterior end looks like a  head with two eyes and the posterior end has hair.
   <br/>
   <br/>
   A mosquito larva would have hair/bristles all over the body, so I am certain this ‘worm’ is something else.
  </p>
 </div>
</div>
<div class="wp-block-media-text alignwide">
 <figure class="wp-block-media-text__media">
  <video alt="IMG_1708.mp4" class="gcloudimg" controls="" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_180954/IMG_1708.mp4">
  </video>
 </figure>
 <div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
  <p>
   I searched a lot to identify the species and came to the conclusion that it could be a
   <strong>
    Chironomid
   </strong>
   larva. Can anyone verify this?
  </p>
 </div>
</div>
<div class="wp-block-media-text alignwide">
 <figure class="wp-block-media-text__media">
  <video alt="IMG_1635.mp4" class="gcloudimg" controls="" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_180954/IMG_1635.mp4">
  </video>
 </figure>
 <div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
  <p>
   I found another worm which is segmented and has bristles on either side of its transparent body. Its intestine can be seen too. I think this is an annelid,
   <em>
    Chaetogaster sp
   </em>
   ..
   <br/>
  </p>
 </div>
</div>
<div class="wp-block-media-text alignwide has-media-on-the-right">
 <figure class="wp-block-media-text__media">
  <img alt="IMG_1628" class="wp-image-183008 gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="183008" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"2.4","credit":"","camera":"iPad (6th generation)","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1570620850","copyright":"","focal_length":"3.3","iso":"25","shutter_speed":"0.0051282051282051","title":"","orientation":"6"}' data-image-title="IMG_1628" data-recalc-dims="1" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_180954/IMG_1628-1.jpg"/>
 </figure>
 <div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
  <p>
   By this time, I had been working on the sample for three to four days. I found many
   <em>
    Phacus sp
   </em>
   . dead 🙁  Perhaps, it was because of lack of organic matter.
   <br/>
  </p>
 </div>
</div>
<h2>
 IV. Life in green mass
</h2>
<div class="wp-block-media-text alignwide">
 <figure class="wp-block-media-text__media">
  <video alt="IMG_1664.mp4" class="gcloudimg" controls="" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_180954/IMG_1664.mp4">
  </video>
 </figure>
 <div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
  <p>
   I had collected some green mass separately from the pond. This slide was very special as it offered such a colourful experience. Watch the different types of
   <strong>
    Diatoms
   </strong>
   disperse the focussed light.
   <br/>
   <br/>
   I love this video, such beauty in nature!
   <br/>
  </p>
 </div>
</div>
<div class="wp-block-media-text alignwide has-media-on-the-right">
 <figure class="wp-block-media-text__media">
  <img alt="IMG_1707" class="wp-image-183012 gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="183012" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"2.4","credit":"","camera":"iPad (6th generation)","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1570823220","copyright":"","focal_length":"3.3","iso":"50","shutter_speed":"0.01","title":"","orientation":"6"}' data-image-title="IMG_1707" data-recalc-dims="1" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_180954/IMG_1707-1.jpg"/>
 </figure>
 <div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
  <p>
   This dark green mass is surely branched
   <strong>
    Cyanobacteria
   </strong>
   <em>
    .
   </em>
  </p>
 </div>
</div>
<div class="wp-block-media-text alignwide">
 <figure class="wp-block-media-text__media">
  <video alt="IMG_1698.mp4" class="gcloudimg" controls="" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_180954/IMG_1698.mp4">
  </video>
 </figure>
 <div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
  <p>
   I seem to have disturbed a
   <strong>
    water flea
   </strong>
   while it was busy foraging.
   <br/>
   <br/>
   <br/>
  </p>
 </div>
</div>
<div class="wp-block-media-text alignwide">
 <figure class="wp-block-media-text__media">
  <video alt="IMG_1675.mp4" class="gcloudimg" controls="" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_180954/IMG_1675.mp4">
  </video>
 </figure>
 <div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
  <p>
   I found an
   <strong>
    Ostracod
   </strong>
   .  I had to wait a long time for it to open its bivalve shell and  so that its appendages could be seen to confirm. It needed all the patience I could muster and it was totally worth it!
  </p>
  <p>
   Check out some
   <a alt="facts.html#1" class="gcloudimg" href="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_180954/facts.html%231">
    amazing facts
   </a>
   about
   <em>
    Ostracods
   </em>
   from the Lake Biwa Museum in Japan.
  </p>
 </div>
</div>
<p>
 I had such an enriching experience with this water sample, but it saddens me that in the process of these discoveries many of my microbe friends were killed, especially
 <em>
  Phacus helicoides
 </em>
 and the beautiful
 <strong>
  diatoms
 </strong>
 ! I  understand this is one outcome of our human curiosity and learning and yet, going ahead, I do hope to find new microbe friends in the waters around India. Our journey with the Foldscope continues…
 <br/>
 <br/>
 Cheers,
 <br/>
 Ashalatha
</p>
<p>
 with Chandrika and Jayashree
</p>


Life in an ‘Organic pond’ – Part 1

TCIS Outreach | Mon, Oct 28, 2019, 4:29 AM

Locations

Categories

Type of Sample

Foldscope Lens Magnification

Comments

Life in an &#8216;Organic pond&#8217; &#8211; Part 1

TCIS Outreach | Mon, Oct 28, 2019, 4:29 AM

Locations

Categories

Type of Sample

Foldscope Lens Magnification

Comments

Life in an ‘Organic pond’ – Part 1