Mystery Protozoan
Mystery Protozoan
This turned up in an infusion of some moss and dirt I scraped up from my back yard. It's been "cooking" for about 10 days now. Although it is an extremely pretty bug (my humble photographic skills don't do it justice), I have no clue what it might be. It's big, about 2-3 times the size of your average paramecium.
https://imgur.com/zqcnX5o
https://imgur.com/ih0wAWE
https://imgur.com/zqcnX5o
https://imgur.com/ih0wAWE
Re: Mystery Protozoan
That looks a lot like a magnificent Stentor.
Re: Mystery Protozoan
The only other Stentor I've see was a horn shaped thing. The ones I observer were capable of retracting into a potato shape and swim freely. These guys were not at all sessile and didn't seem to be able to assume the classic trumpet shape. The mouth-like structure at one end did have a easily visible circle of cilia surrounding what appeared to a sort an inverted cone of a gullet.
Whatever species it may be, it was visually magnificent. Lost track of time while trying to keep it in view.
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Re: Mystery Protozoan
Nice pics.
I think it is indeed a stentor. They are unicellular and have an organelle that anchors them when they find a good enough habitat (then they go into bell mode).
Fascinating organisms
I think it is indeed a stentor. They are unicellular and have an organelle that anchors them when they find a good enough habitat (then they go into bell mode).
Fascinating organisms
Re: Mystery Protozoan
You folks are absolutely correct. It is, indeed, a Stentor. That last video you linked showed a view that is exactly what I'm seeing. Truly an incredible critter. Many thanks.
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- Joined: Thu Aug 19, 2021 12:10 pm
Re: Mystery Protozoan
To me, they look like tiny smiling whales
By the way, if you want to embed Imgur images, you can add around the link (shortcut is the screen button left of easyzoom). Gives this result:
By the way, if you want to embed Imgur images, you can add
Code: Select all
[media]https://imgur.com/zqcnX5o[/media]
Re: Mystery Protozoan
Thanks for the tip. Still learning my way around here.