Glaucoma scintillans?

[janvangastel]

I found this almost rond ciliates in my small pond. To me it looks like the above mentioned ciliate, especially because of the shape of its mouth and the way it moves. The largest one in this video is about 44 microns long. Most video's I have seen of this species are somewhat more oval, so maybe I am wrong.

[Bruce Taylor]

It is a glaucomid, and Glaucoma is very likely (alternatives such as the bromeliad-dwelling Glaucomides and the recently-described Anteglaucoma are technically possible, but as the old saying goes, when you hear hoofbeats don't expect zebras ). The round shape is probably not natural, but the result of osmotic disregulation. The distended contractile vacuole indicates that, as well.

[janvangastel]

Thanks Bruce. I already wondered why the CV is that large,

[janvangastel]

I found another cilate in water form the same pond, which might be the 'normal' more oval shaped specimen of this genus or species.

[Bruce Taylor]

I'm sure that's the same creature, in its natural form. Glaucoma, for sure, and G. scintillans is likely.

[janvangastel]

Thanks again Bruce.