Hi everyone!

I have been thinking about a project I could do with Foldscope to learn more about rivers, specifically their ecosystem. So I joined a local river ecosystem guide and played in the mudflat to get to know more about my aquatic/benthic neighbors.

The mudflat was made of very soft silt with about 15 ~ 30 cm layer of water, and when you walk into it your feet could easily get caught deep in the silt. I was at some point knee deep in the mud, and it was very difficult to walk.

There I saw several kinds of fish (one shown below), crabs (forgot to take pictures), and lots and lots of invertebrates.  I am always amazed how a small patch of mudflat can provide home to so many kinds of species.

I used my homemade plankton net (made with a glass jar with holes in the lid, nylon stockings, wire, and a rope) to catch some microorganisms.

The video I share below shows you a tiny shrimp-like invertebrate that I spent a lot of time with.

Let me know if anyone know how to identify this species!

Honomi