Rotifer???

[JimT]

Found a maple seed "wing" today and here is a small section at 100x-10x obj, 10xEP, and eyepiece projection with dark field. Drop of water added. Looks like a rotifer and there were several. This "Wing" was dry for several months-I hope. It was in a crevice of my car door which I hope is not damp.

Not a good picture because it wouldn't sit still but you can see the shape and "Motor mouth" Can rotifers survive in a dry environment or is it something else? Hope it is not from the drop of water since we drink that.

Thanks for advice. JimT

[gekko]

I think you are right about this being a (bdelloid) rotifer. Yes, I think they can live in dry environments:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotifer (scroll 3/4 of the way down to Anhydrobiosis).

[JimT]

Thanks. Further investigation confirmed they can live in dry environments. I believe it is a Philodina. Glad it isn't from my drinking water