Found among moss leaves - algae?

[mrsonchus]

Hi all,
I've been examining some moss today (another major interest of mine) under the stereo 'scope and have found some curious liquid-filled and transparent 'spheres' that seen to each contain many hundreds of chains of what look like algal-cells. The entire 'sphere' - reminds me of some type of cyst almost, is tiny (i.e. about 50µ at a guess in diameter) and filled with even tinier chains of these green algal-looking cells....

I wondered if anyone may be able to shed a little light upon their nature and even identity - especially as two 'spheres' seem to be joining - or one 'sphere' is in some way 'budding' into two, both of which, together with the 'neck' that joins them are filled with the even tinier 'chains' - here are some pictures, see what you think....

Here's a single one,


and the pair referred to above,


and the 'neck' or constriction/restriction that appears to join them,


inside we have these chain-like structures,




and,


Anyone have any thoughts?

[JimT]

John, what magnification were the last few images? Looks a lot like Caynobacteria, a type of blue green algae.

[c-krebs]

JimT has it. Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae).

[mrsonchus]

John, what magnification were the last few images? Looks a lot like Caynobacteria, a type of blue green algae.

Hi Jim, I think they are x60 (I mounted them quickly in DI water with coversip and a gentle flattening) - the last one's cropped of course - sorry they're not very good quality - it was a very spontaneous and rushed-job.... They really are tiny - I should have measured them using the Toupcam but I was in the middle of a moss ID when I discovered these little beauties in their shiny liquid spheres..

Interesting thing these.

Thanks for the lead Jim - I'll have a read of the tomes about these when I get the chance.

They'd make a nice permanent and easily-made mount I think.

Couldn't resist a gratuitous 'enhancement'......


Thanks for the help chaps.

[zzffnn]

Very interesting. I am interested to see permanent mount at highest possible magnification and NA. In live water mount, they don't image too well unless squeezed really flat.

[gekko]

I think Nostoc.
See for example https://www.britannica.com/science/Nostoc (which also gives a Liverwort connection).

[apochronaut]

Yes, I think they are a Nostoc colony. They form a kind of capsule around the colony. They are easy to grow, release oxygen into the atmosphere as they undergo photosynthesis and the methanolic extracts from certain species, show promise as a natural fungicide and possibly insecticide for agricultural use.

[rabitt]

Excellent photos, Really interesting.

[billben74]

Yeah, second that. Fascinating little journey/story, with great illustrations.

[mrsonchus]

Very interesting. I am interested to see permanent mount at highest possible magnification and NA. In live water mount, they don't image too well unless squeezed really flat.

Hmm, you know Fan, that should be easy enough to do my friend - leave it with me ....

[mrsonchus]

I think Nostoc.
See for example https://www.britannica.com/science/Nostoc (which also gives a Liverwort connection).

Hmm, sounds like them - yes I suppose it's no surprise either that they 'occupy' other plants that are in an environment that they find suitable, such as Liverworts, Mosses etc - very interesting little development!

[mrsonchus]

Yes, I think they are a Nostoc colony. They form a kind of capsule around the colony. They are easy to grow, release oxygen into the atmosphere as they undergo photosynthesis and the methanolic extracts from certain species, show promise as a natural fungicide and possibly insecticide for agricultural use.

Hmm, they become more interesting the more I discover - thanks for the lead.

[mrsonchus]

Excellent photos, Really interesting.

Thanks rabbit - they are very photogenic for sure - such rich colour, and the camera had no trouble imaging them thank goodness.

[mrsonchus]

Yeah, second that. Fascinating little journey/story, with great illustrations.

Thanks Bill, yes it's amazing what 'little treats' repeatedly appear when probing-around the tiny World! The sheer variety, beauty and complexity - not to mention the apparent logical form of my specimens - I know I always quote the form/function idea but I notice it every single time I gaze upon a tiny mystery such as these!

Amazing how delving into the truly tiny with a 'scope can broaden one's horizons so vastly!

Great fun and so very intriguing always.

[billbillt]

I found these fascinating and very well done!....

BillT