Gastristrich: Chaetonotus, maybe C. macrochaetus

[janvangastel]

I think it is the above mentioned spicies, because of its length (130 microns) and the fact that the ling spines - with side spines - start below mid-body. I can see that some of the spines are on his back, but cannot count them.

[75RR]

Nice video and catch. What key are you using to ID it?

[janvangastel]

75 RR: I used the book 'Das Leben im Wassertropfen' to ID it.

[Sir]

I've really enjoy the video's you've been posting lately. Your oblique technique is superbly done, I thought it was DIC until you mentioned it somewhere. Great vid!

[Michael Müller]

Hi,
a really nice video!
But I'm afraid you need a good look on the scales of the animal to identify it. You are right - the genus is definitely Chaetonotus. The most conspicuous detail is the pair of long and double-pointed spines between the toes of the gastrotrich. This excludes C. macrochaetus (and all the other members of the subgenus Hystricochaetonotus). Such spines can be found at C. chuni but at some other species, too. You need the form of the dorsal and the ventral scales to be sure. The size of 130µm is quite small for the suspicious-looking species, but size is never a good criterion for diagnosis.

Best regard,

Michael

[janvangastel]

Thanks for the compliments and comments. I will update the name.