Hi folks -
I thought it might be interesting to attempt a comparison between the feeding vortices produced by a Metazoan Rotifer with a Protozoan Paramecium. I Used the same technique I outlined in the posting below -
https://www.microbehunter.com/microscop ... =6&t=17439
After some searching I found two specimens of approximately the same size, in similar orientations, both with a clear volume of open water for feeding. It appears to me that the Rotifer generates larger vortices than an equivalently sized Paramecium.
This is perhaps unsurprising considering the two wheels of cilia on the Rotifer. Presumably the added complexity of a metazoan needs a larger food supply, hence the elaborate and vigorous feeding apparatus? The feeding mechanism would in turn demand a high energy input.
Clearly their body morphologies and feeding strategies are successful as they are both very abundant.
0:00 to 0:52 Rotifer feeding
0:52 to 1:12 Paramecium feeding
Brunel microscope SP300, Plan, infinity, Oblique lighting, x10 Objective, shot in real time on a Samsung Galaxy A13 phone. No post filming processing.
Martin