Week 3: MicroAquarium observations

• In my observations this week I noticed much growth of cyanobacteria, especially lining the right side of the tank. The algae in the mud at the bottom of the tank have also become an even darker shade of green. 
• Many analids have become prevalent in the tank now; they are mostly found in the cyanobacteria. The analid species prevalent in the tank are called Aeolosoma sp. 
• The cell splitting last week has been identified as a blue-green algae cell, also called Chroococus sp. which is a type of cyanophyte (Hilda Canter-Lund & John WG Lund 1995). 
• A small ciliate was observed in the mid-region of the tank, in the open water
• A plasmodial organism containing yellow and purple pigments within and tentacle-like appendages has been identified as a Chrysamoeba sp. This organism was identified by Mr. McFarland.
• There are many tiny, wiggling bacteria all over the tank; they are especially noticeable in the mid-region open water of the tank. It appears to be an amoeba-like farm.
• A Peranema sp. has been observed in the mid-region of the tank. It could be identified because of the extremely long flagella guiding it in front of the organism.
• A Turbellarian flatworm was observed pulling on a region of cyanobacteria. The flatworm's two eyeholes were easily distinguishable. 
• The cyclops (copepods) were not seen this week. There is a possibility that all of the cyclops have died. 
• The Cybanella sp. diatoms were observed again. They have clear, oval shaped bodies with yellow pigments inside of them.