I was surprised to find this encapsulated rotifer in a pond sample and wondering what would cause it to go into this state in a presumably sustaining environment. Interestingly it was moving its jaws periodically, as if ruminating. You can just make out the red eyespot, though it looks brown in the image.
I can't seem to find much info online on this phenomenon and wondering if anyone else has observed encapsulated rotifers. Or maybe this is a developing egg?
Rotifer in capsule
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Rotifer in capsule
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Re: Rotifer in capsule
It looks like an egg; compare for instance some photos of a Lecane egg at plingfactory. I'm not certain but it it's already chewing, it might be mostly developed and getting ready to hatch out.
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Re: Rotifer in capsule
That's a nice website. Thanks for linking to it.