Mastigamoeba Aspera video in DIC

[mintakax]

This creature has been fascinating me for a few days. I took a small sample from the bottom of a "less than fresh" freshwater pond and have seen this in several of the slides I've looked at.

Taken with a BHS BH2 scope, Nikon Z6 (FX format), 2.5x photo eyepiece, DIC. The first half of the video is with 20x objective, the second half 40x, both Olympus Splan Acro.

Thanks to actinophrys and 75RR for identifying this.

I've since read a little bit about these and I find the cilium fascinating. Are the small microbes visible to the right ectobiotic bacteria ?

https://vimeo.com/352965664

[Francisco]

Very nice video

[actinophrys]

Agreed, very nice. Especially in the close-ups you can see the close association of the flagellum/cilium and nucleus, which is characteristic for the genus. There are definitely some bacteria swimming around, but I'm not sure that they have anything to do with the Mastigamoeba.

[75RR]

Excellent video. You might want to contact Ferry at https://www.arcella.nl/contact/

See what he thinks. He may well want to link your video to his site.

[Sauerkraut]

That is one amazing amoeba. Is the flagellum for sensory purposes or to aid in motility somehow?

I'd be scared if I was a nearby microbe that couldn't get out of the way.

[mintakax]

Thank you everyone ! I found another different type amoeba in the same sample that has cilia and flagellum but I'm going attempt to ID on my own (at first) before I post the video.

[MicroBob]

Again a great video! It is really nice that you make such good use of your fine microscope.

Bob

[Hobbyst46]

Again a great video! It is really nice that you make such good use of your fine microscope.

Bob

Likewise!

[Wes]

Superb. Great catch and video quality is very nice. I really like the shot where you can see the flagellum and nucleus. You are definitely putting your new microscope to a good use.

[mintakax]

Thank you Bob, Hobbyst46 and Wes