Striatella unipunctata x2

[75RR]

Planapo 63x/1.4, DIC, both are about 80µm, stacked in Photoshop, Marine sample, Alboran Sea.

[KD Arvidsson]

So amazing 75RR I want to learn this in the future //KD

[75RR]

Many thanks KD Arvidsson

It helps make a better image when the diatoms are attractive. I like these and find the chamfered corners rather curious.

[daruosha]

That's jaw dropping mate. It belongs to an art gallery.

Just out of curiosity: is there any DIC compatible (and affordable) kit for cheaper Chinese microscopes? Or perhaps use Olympus universal consider and DIC inserts with a Chinese clone of Olympus CHA?

[75RR]

Thanks daruosha

Just out of curiosity: is there any DIC compatible (and affordable) kit for cheaper Chinese microscopes?

DIC is a top end illumination technique and so was only available for research stands of the better microscope manufacturers.

It takes more than a little luck to come across an affordable DIC setup. I admit I was one of the lucky ones.

On the other hand Phase, Darkfield and Oblique can and do produce amazing images.

Here are two links that not only show the excellent results achievable with this version of Oblique (UGF), but also (as in Young Frankenstein) shows how they did it.

https://www.photomacrography.net/forum/ ... hp?t=15142

https://www.photomacrography.net/forum/ ... sal+filter

[PeteM]

Great image - thanks.

[Wes]

Exceptional!

May I ask how you collect these, did you scrape a rock or a perhaps some algae?

[75RR]

Many thanks PeteM and Wes

May I ask how you collect these, did you scrape a rock or a perhaps some algae?

I usually pull up one of the many ropes that dangle in the water from the pier at the local marina and pick the algae off them, it was what I did with the sample that yielded this diatom.

Curiously I took a photo with my phone this evening of one of these ropes when I went for an 'allowed' walk down to the port.

A small tip for those thinking of collecting marine algae in sample jars - they last much much longer if you collect just a tiny bit.

What you want is a large water to alga ratio.

[Wes]

A small tip for those thinking of collecting marine algae in sample jars - they last much much longer if you collect just a tiny bit.

What you want is a large water to alga ratio.

In my experience having too much algae leads to their decay and subsequent explosion of bacteria and various ciliates.

[MicroBob]

That's jaw dropping mate. It belongs to an art gallery.

Just out of curiosity: is there any DIC compatible (and affordable) kit for cheaper Chinese microscopes? Or perhaps use Olympus universal consider and DIC inserts with a Chinese clone of Olympus CHA?

Hi Daruosh,
The cheapest DIC components on the used market will be for older incident light dic systems. Whether they can be used for transmitted light - no idea. The mechanical adaptation will be fiddly in any case and the setup after change of objective will be time consuming.
What I would see an more worthwhile: Experiment with COL, Hoffman, Hofmann (a different guy), in combination with POL. You will probably find very nice setings. Then you could try to install these settings in the slots of a phase condenser. This could make these alternative techniques a lot more repeatable.

Bob

[75RR]

In my experience having too much algae leads to their decay and subsequent explosion of bacteria and various ciliates.

Not to mention smelly. The impulse to jam the sample jar full of algae, which can be strong if you don't live near the sea, should be bravely resisted. A little seaweed goes a long way!

[PeteM]

75RR - just curious if you can tell us something more about this particular specimen - does it have any unique place or unusual story among the algae? It's certainly a striking specimen, as you've so skillfully found, prepared and imaged it.

[75RR]

75RR - just curious if you can tell us something more about this particular specimen - does it have any unique place or unusual story among the algae? It's certainly a striking specimen, as you've so skillfully found, prepared and imaged it.

I came across my first one last year and was a bit stumped on the ID.

It was Hobbyst46 who identified it. It has a curious symbiotic relationship with bacteria.

First link is to the forum post: viewtopic.php?f=13&t=7730&p which also contains a video

Second link to an article called 'Interactions between Diatoms and Bacteria' which is where Hobbyst46 found the ID. https://mmbr.asm.org/content/76/3/667

[daruosha]

Thanks 75RR and Bob for your very helpful comments.

[Sabatini]

Thank you for sharing such excellent work and dedication

Very beautiful image.