The rotifer Collotheca
The rotifer Collotheca
I made some collections today at my favorite pond and was delighted to see the beautiful rotifer Collotheca. This is an interesting rotifer because instead of having moving cilia around the corona, this rotifer has long setae, as seen in the photos below. These setae are used to move prey organisms into the mouth or vestibulum. The first photo shows a contracted Collotheca and the setae extended. The second and third photos show Collotheca individuals (these may be different species) with their coronas unfurled and the setae extended for feeding.
Finally, here is a video of the Collotheca feeding on some small green flagellates. It is interesting to watch this rotifer as it "decides" whether the prey in the vestibulum is what it wants to eat. Once the decision is made, the prey seems to be quickly shunted into the mastax where the food is processed. The ability of the rotifer to contract and then re-extend is also shown. The change in magnification in this video is from changing the optovar from 1.25 to 1.6 and 2x.
These photos were taken using a Canon 1300D camera with an Amscope adapter. The microscope was a Zeiss Photomicroscope III equipped with a 40x Neofluar objective, the optovar set at 1.25x, and flash.Finally, here is a video of the Collotheca feeding on some small green flagellates. It is interesting to watch this rotifer as it "decides" whether the prey in the vestibulum is what it wants to eat. Once the decision is made, the prey seems to be quickly shunted into the mastax where the food is processed. The ability of the rotifer to contract and then re-extend is also shown. The change in magnification in this video is from changing the optovar from 1.25 to 1.6 and 2x.
Re: The rotifer Collotheca
That is one impressive and beautiful specimen. Thanks for the additional information, I found it very interesting.
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Re: The rotifer Collotheca
Masterful images.
Re: The rotifer Collotheca
Very cool indeed! I have yet to come across one of these myself, so I'm officially envious.
Cheers,
Kurt Maurer
League City, Texas
email: ngc704(at)gmail(dot)com
https://www.flickr.com/photos/67904872@ ... 912223623/
Kurt Maurer
League City, Texas
email: ngc704(at)gmail(dot)com
https://www.flickr.com/photos/67904872@ ... 912223623/
- ImperatorRex
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Re: The rotifer Collotheca
Thank you tlansing. This rotifer is really majestic.
Re: The rotifer Collotheca
Javier, Don, Kurt and Jochen: Thanks for your kind comments. This really is a beautiful and interesting critter!
Tim
Tim
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Re: The rotifer Collotheca
Really impressive images