spongeman's Favorites

Video: https://youtu.be/lSif6qvuMEQ

Sampling location: A sand sample was collected from Adzghapsha Beach, located on the coast of the Black Sea. The sand was almost dry at the time of collection.
Date and time of collection: September 9, 2023 at 11 AM
The sample was stored in a sealed glass container at room temperature.
In about a week, a small amount of this sand was mixed with
saltwater prepared from distilled water and marine aquarium salt to achieve a salinity of approximately 20 g/kg. However, determining the precise salinity level is impossible without a salt meter.
Date and time of observation: September 22, 2023 at 11 AM

All 100x objective images and videos are of the same organism.
All 10x and 40x objective images and videos are of a few other ciliates from the same water sample.

Diagnosis of the organisms observed:
• Slender, flexible cell
• Three longitudinal cortical grooves that allow the cell to spiral the anterior half of the cell
• Spiral movement when swimming
• Length 60-75 µm
• Colorless cortical granules widely distribute in the cortex
• Buccal opening approximately one third of total length
• A clear subequatorial CV. At least two other small vacuoles were visible in line with the large CV at the posterior part of the cell

Unfortunately, I am not sure about the other important features, such as the nuclear apparatus and the arrangement of the kineties. The tendency of this ciliate to bend its body in a spiral and my lack of experience confused me.

Video: https://youtu.be/TcWVSTtinFU
Sampling location: A water sample was collected from Istok Lake near the shore, where snags and aquatic vegetation were present.
Date and time of collection: 16 Jul 2023 at 3 PM
Date and time of observation: 17 Jul 2023 at 8 PM
The sample was stored at room temperature in a plastic container.

I have 30 minutes of unedited footage stored. Should you be interested in viewing it, kindly inform me and I will endeavour to share the footage with you.

Sampling location: A water sample was collected from Istok Lake near the shore, where snags and aquatic vegetation were present.
Several specimens of a freshwater sponge growing on different parts of Fontinalis antipyretica (water moss).
Date and time of collection: 16 Jul 2023 at 3 PM
Date and time of observation: 21 Jul 2023 at 7 PM
The sample was stored at room temperature in a plastic container.
During the initial days, the sponges were actively filtering, causing visible ripples in the water. However, by the day of observation, the noticeable water movement had ceased.

Mag. 200x

• A water sample taken on 03/31/2024, from a small vernal stream in a wooded area, using a small sample bottled attached to an extension pole. Air temp 46F.

The long neck and specialized oral apparatus suggest membership in the genus Lacrymaria. (Not Lacrymaria olor since it lacks an oral dome and no evidence longitudinal pellicle strips.?) - NOT Lacrymaria! See diagnosis by Bruce Taylor below - Two specimens were observed in the same field of view, one 320µ (partially extended) and a much smaller specimen at 150µ (also partially extended). As they neared each other (no contact occurred) a wonderful little pas de deux ensued. Perhaps depth of field buffered their encounter more than I realized (one individual is usually in the background and out of focus, difficult to discern... but it's there!). After a short dance of to-and-fros and dips of the head, they parted ways seemingly without ever acknowledging the presence of the other. In this photo series, documentation of the pas de deux begins at image 7.

Video: https://youtu.be/1Q8kDGQLsMs
The pseudoscorpion was discovered on a windowsill adjacent to a container of forest soil, vegetation, and springtails. Therefore, it is unclear whether the pseudoscorpion was an inhabitant of the apartment or brought in from the forest.

Mag. 400x

• A pond-side water sample (retentate) was taken on 10/14/2023 using a 10µ dip net to enrich for microorganisms. Air temp 58F.

Stalkless head (large) of a Vorticella species. Pellicle appears horizontally striated (bottom, near stalk attachment point). The unique feature is the tremendous load of symbiotic zoochloroellae that nearly fills the body. The presence of zoochlorellae suggest 2 Vorticella species: V. chlorostigma and V. chlorellata. For reference images, see:

1. https://www.plingfactory.de/Science/Atlas/KennkartenProtista/01e-protista/e-Ciliata/e-source/Vorticella-chlorostigma.html
2. https://realmicrolife.com/vorticella-chlorostigma/
3. https://www.ciliates.at/en/2014/06/12/vorticella-chlorellata/
4. https://www.canadiannaturephotographer.com/pondlifeII.html (scroll down)

Not described (but soon) species.
Similar individual sequenced on LCO by Plateforme du vivant (IRD-Noumea) give:
Baikalospongia intermedia 96.20% identity, blast score 1079
Ephydatia muelleri 96.20% identity, blast score 1079
Baikalospongia fungiformis 96.20% identity, blast score 1077
Lubomirskia abietina 96.04% identity, blast score 1074

I'm posting this for someone who doesn't want to join iNaturalist but we're both very curious about it. There were two of these. He thinks they were in the mud around the roots of a weed he pulled up. He put the weed down and when he picked it up again he saw these creatures on the ground where it had been. He said they wandered around randomly and changed direction by flipping over backwards.