On Friday October 26th I had the opportunity to
spend three amazing hours from 11-1 EST in room 202 of the Hesler Biology
Building on the University of Tennessee campus observing my Micro Aquarium.
During this time I was able to view my active aquarium under a microscope and
was also able to take images of some of the organisms. To say the least once I
put the aquarium under the microscope and began to see the movement I was
shocked. It may be my ignorance but I never
knew that such a wide array of living things in such a small place was possible!
This was truly a great discovery. I began by searching the bottom on the Micro
Aquarium and to my surprise almost immediately spotted a living organism that
looked like something out of a science fiction movie. Right then I asked for
the assistance of Ken McFarland to help me identify this organism, to what he described
as a Cyclops. (Image One) This was confirmed in a book that was located in the room that
exampled this time of creature. (Pennak) I have attached an image of this
incredible creature. Some more of the organisms that I viewed, all that were
identified by Mr. McFarland, were the following; a flatworm, an annelid worm,
and even an aeolosoma hemprichi. The latest mentioned, the aeolosoma hemprich,
was verified by figure 9 on page 299 of the book titled, Fresh-water Invertebrates of the United States; Protozoa to Mollusca,
3rd Edition. I have also attached an image of this organism, truly breathtaking!
(Image Two)When leaving the room I did add more water to the aquarium as some had
evaporated and wanted to make sure that the creatures had enough room to live
and roam. Next week when I check back I hope to locate and identify many more
organisms and add more photos for everyone’s enjoyment, great stuff!
Image One
Image Two
Pennak, R. W. 1989. Fresh-water
Invertebrates of the United States; Protozoa to Mollusca, 3rd Edition. New
York: John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
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