Strange object lying around in a pond...

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Pat Thielen
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Strange object lying around in a pond...

#1 Post by Pat Thielen » Wed Apr 19, 2017 6:34 pm

I'm not sure what this is (magnified 200x). It is a focus-stacked photograph using 10 images photographed using phase contrast lighting. It appears to be a round object with an opening at the top. Any ideas? It has some interesting appendages toward the bottom as well.
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Plan 20 / 0.45 / Phase Contrast lighting, Nikon d810, 10 image focus stack, Photoshop CC for final edits
Plan 20 / 0.45 / Phase Contrast lighting, Nikon d810, 10 image focus stack, Photoshop CC for final edits
micro0014388_10-image_stack_200x_pc.jpg (357.29 KiB) Viewed 6572 times
Last edited by Pat Thielen on Fri Apr 21, 2017 2:46 am, edited 1 time in total.
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IanW
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Re: Strange object lying around in a pond...

#2 Post by IanW » Wed Apr 19, 2017 6:36 pm

Very interesting with what look like small roots or hairs. I'm afraid I can't identify this for you though. Thanks for posting this.
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Re: Strange object lying around in a pond...

#3 Post by hkv » Wed Apr 19, 2017 6:49 pm

I would guess an Amoeba test (shell). Maybe Arcella.

http://www.phytoplankton.info/cd-inhalt ... N9412.html
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Pat Thielen
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Re: Strange object lying around in a pond...

#4 Post by Pat Thielen » Wed Apr 19, 2017 7:44 pm

hkv wrote:I would guess an Amoeba test (shell). Maybe Arcella.

http://www.phytoplankton.info/cd-inhalt ... N9412.html

I was kinda-sorta thinking that but of course wasn't sure. It was found in a culture of freshwater diatoms that had expired. Having looked at your link that really does look like it. Very interesting! Too bad I didn't find an amoeba living in it.
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Re: Strange object lying around in a pond...

#5 Post by apochronaut » Wed Apr 19, 2017 9:01 pm

I think you did, though.

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Re: Strange object lying around in a pond...

#6 Post by Pat Thielen » Wed Apr 19, 2017 9:05 pm

apochronaut wrote:I think you did, though.

I must be missing something, then. I don't see any psuedopods; it looks like an empty test to me. Hmmm...
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Re: Strange object lying around in a pond...

#7 Post by actinophrys » Wed Apr 19, 2017 9:24 pm

Definitely an amoeba test, but not actually Arcella; both this and hkv's link are really Centropyxis. Both have flattened shells but these are bilaterally symmetric, with the opening toward the front and often spines along the back. They also incorporate attached debris so have a rougher look to them.

I don't see any occupant for sure, and it's certainly not uncommon to find them empty, though it can be tough to tell if the amoeba is just keeping to itself.

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Re: Strange object lying around in a pond...

#8 Post by Pat Thielen » Wed Apr 19, 2017 9:34 pm

actinophrys wrote:Definitely an amoeba test, but not actually Arcella; both this and hkv's link are really Centropyxis. Both have flattened shells but these are bilaterally symmetric, with the opening toward the front and often spines along the back. They also incorporate attached debris so have a rougher look to them.

I don't see any occupant for sure, and it's certainly not uncommon to find them empty, though it can be tough to tell if the amoeba is just keeping to itself.

Thanks a ton for the info -- I really do appreciate it.

:D
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Re: Strange object lying around in a pond...

#9 Post by 75RR » Wed Apr 19, 2017 9:36 pm

Best place for Amoeba IDs is: http://www.arcella.nl/overview-all
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Re: Strange object lying around in a pond...

#10 Post by Pat Thielen » Wed Apr 19, 2017 11:27 pm

75RR wrote:Best place for Amoeba IDs is: http://www.arcella.nl/overview-all

Thanks! It has been duly bookmarked. Is there a similar site for other protozoans?
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Re: Strange object lying around in a pond...

#11 Post by 75RR » Wed Apr 19, 2017 11:35 pm

Have only found a book for protists, in German no less.
There are 4 volumes, this is the first: https://archive.org/details/1930AlfredK ... Prostomata

This key is pretty good for Cladocera and assorted beasties: http://cfb.unh.edu/cfbkey/html/
Last edited by 75RR on Wed Apr 19, 2017 11:47 pm, edited 4 times in total.
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Re: Strange object lying around in a pond...

#12 Post by JimT » Wed Apr 19, 2017 11:42 pm

Besides all the ID discussions it is also a nice image.

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Re: Strange object lying around in a pond...

#13 Post by Pat Thielen » Thu Apr 20, 2017 12:42 am

JimT wrote:Besides all the ID discussions it is also a nice image.

Thanks!
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Re: Strange object lying around in a pond...

#14 Post by Pat Thielen » Thu Apr 20, 2017 12:46 am

75RR wrote:Have only found a book for protists, in German no less.
There are 4 volumes, this is the first: https://archive.org/details/1930AlfredK ... Prostomata

This key is pretty good for Cladocera and assorted beasties: http://cfb.unh.edu/cfbkey/html/

Thanks, although I'll have to admit that my German is a bit rusty. And by rusty I mean non-existent (although I could order a beer I think). A long time ago there was a book in our school's library that was a key for identifying many types of protozoans. I wish I could remember the title or the author; I'm sure its long out of print. I had that book checked out for pretty much the whole time I was in 7 - 9th grade.

Thanks also for posting the link. I had actually found that site not too long ago but I hadn't bookmarked it and so now it is.
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Re: Strange object lying around in a pond...

#15 Post by actinophrys » Thu Apr 20, 2017 5:53 am

Pat Thielen wrote:A long time ago there was a book in our school's library that was a key for identifying many types of protozoans.
I think there is a good chance that was How to Know the Protozoa; I found a digital copy of the 1st edition at HathiTrust. I grew up with the 2nd edition, and it gave a nice first view of the diversity of protozoa, including a few peculiarly terrestrial kinds and many parasites. That spread can limit it as a field guide, in that it's not too hard to find genera it omits, and of course the classification though insightful is now largely obsolete. But it's still one of the things I check from time to time!

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Re: Strange object lying around in a pond...

#16 Post by charlie g » Thu Apr 20, 2017 4:40 pm

Beautiful image, Pat, it sure seems to be Genus: Centropyxis. Like apochronaut suggested..I do sense a pair of digitate pseudopods (?sp?) on the side of the test with the spines (7-8 o-clock position)..these below plane of clear focus of your image.

Fantastic link which 75RR shares is rich in protozoology..that interview with a protozoologist there, his path to protists opened for him when he became certified to teach biology to youngsters..and he explains how his circa 1960's experience with a LOMO microscope and it's 70X WI objective: "changed his life"!!

I'm glad about actinophrys shout out to:Jahns "How to Know the Protozoa". I strongly encourage all to visit the online text, or to buy the low cost used copy of" Protozoology" 5th ed., Richard R. Kudo. You can use this text for it's excellent images, and when intrested..it's discussion of these wonderful creatures..our protozoa.


BTW...the Kudo text has a good illustration of your amoeba,Pat..in side view! You now can go back to this threads image...and see the digitate psuedopods..just below your planes(stacked image you say) of clear focus.

Thanks for the rick link, 75RR..I'll be enjoyings it's content for quite a while.

charlie guevara..desperately looking for wild Volvox in area vernal pools this spring time.

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Re: Strange object lying around in a pond...

#17 Post by gekko » Fri Apr 21, 2017 11:11 pm

Very good photo.

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Re: Strange object lying around in a pond...

#18 Post by c-krebs » Sat Apr 22, 2017 3:45 am

If you are not familiar with the work of Joseph Leidy and his book from 1879... 'Fresh-Water Rhizopods of North America', you are in for a treat. An amazing piece of work from 138 years ago!

Overall, check out this:
https://user.xmission.com/~psneeley/Personal/Leidy.htm

And for the particular image posted here, see Plate XXXI here:
https://user.xmission.com/~psneeley/Personal/Fwr31P.htm (and see the previous page for written information about the amoeba on this plate)

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