Stentor amethystinus

[WWWW]

A few days ago I took a water sample from a pond. In the tube, there seemed to be only black stuff in it.
Under the microscope, however, this appeared to be a species new to me !

It was Stentor amethystinus, another new trumpet animal found !

They were present in huge numbers that caused the black coloration of the water.

However, it was not easy to make a nice film of it, they are very dark colored and that causes (too) large contrast differences.
Also this species will not easily attach to a substrate, mostly they swim around.

Nevertheless, the zoochlorella along with the pigment granules are sometimes quite visible.

[macnmotion]

I can see how they would be difficult to film bit they're beautiful. Something new to me, thanks for sharing.

[Bruce Taylor]

Yes, they're hard to film! But you did a great job.

[josmann]

Darkfield is a great technique for big specimens like this. Although it makes Stentor coeruleus kinda lose its blue color.

[WWWW]

@josmann,

I know that more is possible than normal BF.
But I think it is important that people who are just starting with microscopy and who do not yet own such an expensive microscope or special filters also have an idea of what they are seeing.
That's why I mainly use BF.

Of course DF gives very impressive images, but as you point out, it comes at the expense of colors.

[josmann]

@josmann,

I know that more is possible than normal BF.
But I think it is important that people who are just starting with microscopy and who do not yet own such an expensive microscope or special filters also have an idea of what they are seeing.
That's why I mainly use BF.

Of course DF gives very impressive images, but as you point out, it comes at the expense of colors.

For thick specimens with green algae, though, the colors will usually be extremely vibrant - green hydras especially look fantastic in DF.

I don’t get what you mean about expensive techniques - darkfield can be done on any microscope with an Abbe condenser with just household items! Only takes two minutes to set up.