Botany 111 Term Project: Microaquarium

Lucas Hietala, Section 002, Lucas I. Wb. H,

Post 5: Observation 4

 

      Regarding the previous post in this series: an error was made in the assumption that the majority of the creatures were dead or missing. On 11/12/13, the final observation of the MicroAquarium™ was made at about 1:30pm. Contrary to the expected lack of life save for the previously mentioned rotifers and lone seed flea, there was a new flush of life in the aquarium that seemed to appear from nowhere. It is, therefore, hypothesized that the organisms observed to now be merrily carrying on their lives had hidden in the soil and perhaps behind the thicker leaves and obstructions in the water. The husks of diatoms and dead organisms remain, however, leading to the conclusion that there was still a large number of deaths in the aquarium, though the assumption that most of the organisms were involved in this destruction was erroneous. 

    General observation of the aquarium showed that the water level had further reduced to approximately fill half of the volume of the MicroAquarium™, if that. It is possible that the lid of the aquarium was left ajar or was improperly sealed, leading to an increased rate of evaporation. Food pellet particulates still remained in the water, though they had by then almost completely been dissolved or devoured, and only a few small clumps of the food remained, and these were only lazily perused by the aquarium fauna. Growth of at least two varieties of algae was also observed, though the precise species were unidentified. It is suspected that the algae was either present in the water sample take from the Quarry itself, or were imported on one of the plants added to the aquarium.

    It should be noted that while the rotifers found in the aquarium previously remain, they are less numerous than the last observation, or at least appear to be. This is balanced out by a fresh batch of amoebas that now haunt the middle layer of the aquarium, slowly making their way from the A. varium  to the Fontalis sp., possibly in search of food. Indeed, in addition to the amoeba, every species in previous posts of this blog were identified and recorded, including the Lovecraftian terror worm (Aeolosoma sp.), and the seed flea (Ostacod sp.) that was apparently not the only one of its kind in the aquarium. 

    New organisms identified included a large Philodina sp. rotifer that had made its home in the soil, which was only seen twice, sticking its head out of the substrate to suck in more food from the surrounding water (Covich, 2010). The creature had an anterior region reminiscent of a digging machine, the two disks of its mouth chattering away like the blades of a saw, and it moved quite easily through the media, popping out of the soil quickly and darting back inside just as quickly. 

    An unknown species of Gastrotricha also made an appearance (Covich 2010). The little creature was quite small, and very graceful. Due to the fact that it was located quite close to the posterior (or anterior, difficult to distinguish) end of another organism that had similar traits, at first it was assumed to be that creature's offspring. However, after more careful examination of their tendencies and physiology, it became clear that the two creatures were not actually related. Instead, the delicate little organism eventually flitted away, keeping close to the soil, while its monstrous companion simply twitched about, its tusked end waving like a sleepy walrus. 

 

    As this is the last of the observations made, some last notes on material need to be noted:

The microscopes used for observations were Micromaster by Fisher Scientific, supplemented by camera-attached microscopes of the Olympus Ch30 variety with a Sony Handycam HDR-HC9 camera (McFarland, 2013). Images were processed using Adobe Photoshop 7.0 using a Windows 7 operating system.
    During the course of the experiment, according to the informative blog page by Dr. McFarland, the temperature in the lab remained at 15.6-17.9 degrees Celsius, and lighting was provided using a 15cm, 30 watt light suspended over the aquariums. Light cycling was recorded as being constant and fixed, with ceiling lights coming on and going off at "random time periods between 8:00AM - 12:00PM" while the experiment was in effect (McFarland, 2013). 

     These facts were left until the end of this experiment so the complete range of temperatures and the complete listing of materials used could be noted. Only two microscopes were used for the course of this experiment for observations (barring the possibility that they were moved), and only one camera was utilized (again, barring the possibility of replacement). For the sake of completeness, the complete list of information for products used in this series of information are listed in Dr. McFarland's blog, a link to which is provided in the bibliography.

 

Bibliography

Corvich, Alan P. and James H. Thorp editors. Ecology and Classification of North American Freshwater Invertebrates. 3rd Edition. Elsevier Inc. 2010. 1021 pages. 

 McFarland, Kenneth [Internet] Botany 111 Fall 2013. [cited 10/26/2013]. Available from http://botany1112013.blogspot.com/

Botany 111 Term Project: Microaquarium

Lucas Hietala, Section 002, Lucas I.Wb. H,

Post 4: Observation 3

    Desolation. This word above all others describes the state of the MicroAquarium™, as observed on Wednesday, November 6, 2013. In comparison to the other observations, the aquarium was nearly empty, littered with the husks of diatoms and cast off shells of cyclops. The reason for this unprecedented die-off is as of yet unknown.

   The water level in the aquarium was increased from the last time it was observed, and it is speculated the more water was added during the time where the aquarium was unobserved. The quality of this water is unknown, and it could be proposed that impurities or other elements in the water added could be responsible for the destruction of micro life.The food pellet placed in the aquarium on October 25, 2013 had not completely dissolved when last observed, but appeared instead as a ring of fibers and tapioca-colored detritus. Most of the activity observed in the aquarium focused around this ring of food particles, largely consisting of tiny rotifers, which swam in and out of the outer layer of the ring.

   The necrotic lesions on the A. varium that have been previously recorded are receding from the top end of the plant, and have not further spread from the bottom toward the living top. The reason for this is unknown, though it could be suspected that the plant has had enough time to recover from the trauma of being pulled from its origin that it has begun not only to heal but to repair and grow once more. No significant change was noted in the appearance of the Fontalis sp., though the U. gibba seems not only to be surviving, but has grown approximately five (5) new bladders where it can collect food in the form of prey. Reasons for this growth are unknown, and it seems unlikely that the U. gibba's success and growth has any appreciable role in the reduction in the number of living organisms in the aquarium.

   Of the organisms previously mentioned, many were not observed during this period, and are presumed dead or in hiding. A single Verticella sp. was noted, clinging doggedly to a piece of the soil substrate at the bottom of the aquarium, though no others were in evidence in the locations that they were previously numerous. Of the many different cyclops species, which have not yet been identified and may now not be, one one adult and a single sub-adult were recorded. The Aeolosoma sp. was similarly not found, even after extensive searching of the aquarium, and is presumed to be either dead or in hiding in the soil. 

   New organisms were observed, however. An abundance of (or at least a noticeable number) of Euchlanis sp. were seen to be moving about the aquarium, especially in the open middle ground and around the remaining ring of food at the top of the tank (Donner, 1956). These organisms are elegant in motion, with a roughly coin-shaped body and a short, stinger-like protrusion on their posterior ends. They move together in loose clouds in a complex and oddly beautiful pattern, and in the empty fields of shining diatom husks, it looks almost as though they are the microscopic equivalent of fairies, dancing amongst the tombstones of the dead.

   A seed flea (Ostacod sp.) has also graced this aquarium (Rainis, 1996). Alien in form and movement, this tiny crustacean looks like a semi-translucent pill or capsule, save that from the anterior end, four whisk-like legs whir and twitch busily, propelling the creature about its environment with astonishing speed and maneuverability. It does indeed look like a cross between a seed and a flea, and it is easy to understand from whence its name comes. However, with the rapidity of its movement and the odd casing in which it lives, it more resembles a futuristic spacecraft than a living organism. 

   It should be added that on a personal note, I find this lack of living organisms in the aquarium that I'm working on to be disheartening and confusing. In comparison to the wealth and abundance of life of all kinds that was present as little as a week before this observation, it seems bleak and empty now. I don't know why this is, and I have no idea what could have caused such amazing destruction in such a small and easily controlled and monitored environment. I fear that by the end of the week, if this trend continues, no living organisms other than the plants will be visible.

Bibliography

Donner, Josef, Rotifers. (Edition unknown). Frederick Warne & Co Ltd, London, England. 1956.

Rainis, Kenneth G. and Bruce J Russell, Guide to Microlife. 2nd Edition. Franklin Watts Publishing, Connecticut. 1996. 287 pages.

Botany 111 Term Project: Microaquarium

Lucas Hietala, Section 002, Lucas I.Wb. H,

Post 3: Observation 2

     On the afternoon of Thursday, October 31, 2013, a second follow-up observation of the MicroAquarium™ was made. Identifications were made with the assistance of Dr. McFarland and reference books available in the laboratory, and alterations to the aquarium's environment were noted.

    According to Dr. McFarland, a food pellet was added to the aquarium on Friday, October 25, 2013, though the time at which this was done was not specified. This food pellet was observed to be partially dissolved, and the container that it was drawn from was labeled as "Ocean Nutrition: Atison's Betta Food". It is unknown if chemicals or nutrients in this food pellet will adversely affect a particular organism or the overall health or conditions inside the aquarium, and it is a possible subject of study to consider the effects of various food sources on the conditions of a freshwater aquarium such as these and their inhabitants. 

    The water level in the aquarium had lowered when observed. What this is a result of is unknown, be it evaporation or lack of added water. Observed in the prior water level were the dried husks of various microorganisms, as well as a portion of the A. varium. The A. varium, as previously mentioned, has a growing necrotic region, which has expanded further since last observed, rising from the bottom of the plant to the middle region, and now extending downward as well from the portion of the plant that had left the water of the aquarium The lesion from the bottom is approximately 1/4 of an inch, and the one on the top is approximately 1/16th of an inch. Both other plants seem to be surviving well, and no necrotic lesions were noted. 

    Soil levels at the bottom of the aquarium have remained steady and level, with few to no disturbances if there have been any. Movement was observed in the soil, but the organism that caused this movement did not appear, and was therefore unable to be recorded. Soil particulate has further settled, and it seems unlikely that it will settle further than it has, though there is now food particulate in the aquarium that has replaced the former soil particles.

    During the observation, organisms previously mentioned in this record were found again. The Tachysoma sp. is moving as rapidly as before, and seems unaffected or benefited by the introduction of the food pellet, as yet unknown. The Amoeba sp. was similarly observed, but it was similarly found to have no noticeable change in behavior. 

    While scanning the region around the food pellet (which was floating at the top of the aquarium, in the central region, adjacent to the A. varium), a new creature was observed. With the assistance of Dr. McFarland and a reference book, this was identified as Aeolosoma sp. (likely hemprichi or leidyi). It appears as a worm-like creature, moving in a fashion similar to a flattened caterpillar, sucker-like mouth gasping for food as it nosed along the surface of the A. varium leaves (Pennak, 1989). Its size in comparison to the rest of the aquarium's fauna was shockingly large, possibly rivaled by some of the larger crustaceans. Overall, its great size and method of motion imparted a feeling of unease or nausea, a sense of wrongness as compared to the grace and smooth motion of the rest of the organisms. 

    The bottom layer of the aquarium held an attractive tenant, however. What was identified as a Verticella sp. was attached to a small outcropping of sand or possibly some form of rock (Patterson, 1992). A wreath of cilia fanned out from its food intake, visibly pulling tiny particulates in a miniscule current as it fed. This motion was hypnotic, and the long stem of the organism allowed it to sway in the almost imperceptible motion of the water inside the aquarium. Several others of similar form have been observed as well, from those that are attached on the soil in the bottom of the aquarium to a few that have made their home on the tops of the U. gibba. However, none have been observed as being attached to either the A. varium or the Fontalis sp. The reason for this is unknown, and this tendency will be discussed with Dr. McFarland for elucidation in the next post. 

    Last of the organisms identified and discussed for this observation was a curious creature with a slow overall movement and lemon-shaped oval body. Its head, however, was perched on a long, flexible, and rapidly moving neck, a ring marking the base of the rounded anterior end. As its behavior was unusual, Dr. McFarland was consulted, and the organism was identified with the assistance of a text as Lacrymaria sp (Patterson, 1992). The constant motion of the head is a result of the creature's rapid feeding, which is necessary to maintain the rapid movement of the head. This cycle's beginning and end (if they exist) was not observed, and the creature made a slow, wide circle in the middle region of the aquarium, close to the Fontalis sp. 

(Pictures to be Uploaded at a later date)

Bibliography

 Patterson, DJ, Free-Living Freshwater Protazoa. 2nd Edition. ASM Press, 1992. 223 pages.

Pennak, Robert W., Fresh-Water Invertebrates of the United States. 3rd Edition. Wiley-Interscience, New York, 1989. 628 pages.

Botany 111 Term Project: Microaquarium

Lucas Hietala, Section 002, Lucas I.Wb.H,

Post 2: Observation 1

   Approximately 12:10-3:30pm Wednesday, October 23, the MicroAquarium™ was observed for a second time, and organisms were recorded. With the assistance of Dr. McFarland, a select few of these organisms were identified for this record, and changes in the overall status of the aquarium were noted.

    The level of water in the aquarium remained fairly constant, though it is unknown whether this is due to the seal of the aquarium's lid or the addition of water by laboratory staff. The plants that had been added during the initial setup had little to no change observed, with the exception of the A. varium, which has developed a necrotic space approximately 1/16th of an inch long where the section that has been placed into the aquarium was severed from the rest of the plant. Hypothetically, this can be attributed to the trauma of being removed from the parent plant. All other plants (Fontinalis sp. and U. gibba) appear to be thriving or at least surviving in their new environment.
    The soil in the bottom of the aquarium has settled down, and less particulate matter is floating in the water above it, though this was somewhat obscured until closer observation was made, as the numerous and varied diatoms obfuscate this fact. Judging by the time it has taken to reach this level of clarity, and the fact that the aquarium is only rarely disturbed, the water and soil are likely to almost completely separate themselves by the end of this project.

    During this particular observation, several organisms were noticed, other than the seemingly innumerable diatoms. One was identified by its characteristic colors and shape, as well as the fact that its single-celled body was making a slow but steady pace through the water. A species of amoeba (Amoeba sp.), brightly colored and sparkling in the light of the microscope (Patterson, 1992). As an organism without chlorophyll, amoebas must take in nutrition from outside sources, in this case left over detritus and likely other organisms that make their home in the aquarium. It is unknown what the exact species of the amoeba might be, but its attractive coloration and seemingly singular nature is interesting. It stayed in the middle layer of water in the aquarium, but never seemed to stray far from the Fontinalis plant, which leads to the train of thought that the creature's prey, if indeed it is predatory, would likely be found near the same plant. 

    The other organism that caught the eye was very small, almost too small to see on the scanning objective, and would have appeared to be yet another species of diatom if it had not moved as rapidly as it did. This rapidly moving creature was identified with Dr. McFarland's assistance as a  Tachysoma sp. (Patterson, 1992). Miniscule in size, the little creature had a green coloration, though it does not seem likely that something of that nature would have chlorophyll. This statement is made because of the rapidly moving cilial mouthparts it possessed, which rotated or simply moved rapidly enough to look like they were, pushing water and debris into the organism. Every few seconds, the Tachysoma  moved explosively in a new direction, which was explained to be the creature violently ejecting water from its body and into the surrounding environment. Due to the law of osmosis, water enters through the single-celled organism's membrane in an attempt to create an isotonic solution. To counteract this, the water is shunted into a vacuole inside the creature, and then ejected. The speed and agility of the creature made it difficult to follow in the aquarium, but this movement is detailed in the following video. 

 (Video to be Uploaded at a later date)

Bibliography

Patterson, DJ, Free-Living Freshwater Protazoa. 2nd Edition. ASM Press, 1992. 223 pages.

 

Botany 111 Term Project: Microaquarium

Lucas Hietala, Section 002, Lucas I.Wb.H,

Post 1: Setup and Initial Observation

    On the afternoon of October 15, 2013, the botany class that I'm enrolled in was assigned the construction, maintenance, and observations of a miniature aquarium each, called a MicroAquarium™. This container is a pair of glass, or possibly plexiglass, sheets that are sandwiched together, leaving enough room in between for a bit of water, dirt, and whatever else the student might wish to add. Upon arrival in the secondary classroom where this continuing experiment, we were assigned random locations from which we would derive our water and soil samples, and in the case of observations for this blog, that location was Mead's Quarry, Island Home Ave. (full location specifics are given below). 

    The MicroAquarium™, approximately four inches long, two tall, and possessing a functional area of about 1/8th of an inch wide, more precise measurements will be taken at a later date. Into this MicroAquarium™, a thin layer of soil taken from the water and soil sample container was placed, followed by roughly equal amounts of water from the middle and surface layers of the water provided. Thus filled with water, three different plants were added to the aquarium's environment. These too are detailed below.

    After the initial setup, each student was instructed to use a light microscope to observe any organisms that might be in their aquarium. Upon doing so, several things immediately became obvious:

1. The water and soil that had been placed into the aquarium were, in fact, teeming with microscopic life of many kinds.

2. Some of these microscopic organisms had come in on the plants that had been placed in the aquarium, rather than the soil and water, as obviated by the fact that they were firmly ensconced inside the leaves of one plant in particular, the A. varium. 

3. I was now very, very happy that there are water filtration systems. 

    Unfortunately, during the initial setup of the aquarium, no books or other sources were provided with which to identify the organisms that were observed. However, a generalized observation was made. In the A. varium leaves, several small arthropods were observed, mostly keeping relatively still inside their protective cocoons. Tentatively, they could be identified as the larval form of an insect, as their six legs and general form conjured the image of mealworms or other beetle larvae.

    Other arthropods were likely crustaceans. An oval-shaped transparent creature with several feathery legs dashed around in the water, making it all that could be done to get a glimpse of it here and there. A strange horseshoe-crab monster with long antennae and two sacks of what might have been eggs trailing behind it stopped and started rapidly before hiding in the dirt. Even on the first day, at least half a dozen different forms of diatoms were noticed, though whether this is a misidentification or not is to be seen upon future observations.

    The first day of observations and setup ended approximately an hour and a half after it began, and the aquariums were placed with lids inside a communal container, where the class was told they would be kept safe and not dry out in the weeks to follow. 

    This is a list of the plants that were placed into the MicroAquarium™:

Amblestegium varium (Hedwig) Lindberg. Moss. Collection from: Natural spring. at Carters Mill Park, Carter Mill Road, Knox Co. TN. Partial shade exposure. N36 01.168 W83 42.832. 10/13/2013 (McFarland, 2013)
Fontinalis sp. Moss. Collected from: Holston River along John Sevier Hwy under I 40 Bridge Partial shade exposure Holston River water Shed N36 00.527 W83 49.549 823 ft 10/13/2013 (McFarland, 2013)
Utricularia gibba L. Flowering plant. A carnivorous plant. Original material from south shore of Spain Lake (N 35o55 12.35" W088o20' 47.00), Camp Bella Air Rd. East of Sparta Tn. in White Co. and grown in water tanks outside of greenhouse at Hesler Biology Building. The University of Tennessee. Knox Co. Knoxville TN. 10/13/2013 (McFarland, 2013)

    This is the source of the water used:
Meads Quarry, Island Home Ave, Knox Co. Tennessee Partial shade exposure Rock Quarry N35 57.162 W83 51.960 880 10/13/2013 (McFarland, 2013)

Bibliography

 McFarland, Kenneth [Internet] Botany 111 Fall 2013. [cited 10/26/2013]. Available from http://botany1112013.blogspot.com/