November 12th, 2008 - Observations

The aquarium seems to have many more diatoms in almost every spot. Many are alive but even more appear to be dead while others feed on them. Astereinella were also spotted along the edge of the tank. They are the star shaped diatoms that are not motile and there for must be attached to something. A second midge was also located from where I thought it would be considered out of place. It was up in the plants at the top of the aquarium. It appeared to be slightly smaller than the other midge that I have been following. They both seem to continue to grow larger (not fully visible under low power 40x) and more defined as well as gaining a more brown color. When I looked at the midge under 100x i realized that there were microorganisms attached to the midge like the smaller fish sticking with a shark. The bag traps also seem to be consuming more organisms and growing more defined. The algae and protozoa have seemed to jumped in number as well. I can watch them feeding on other protozoa and diatoms at the bottom of the tank. I was unable to identify it but there has been an abundance of a filamentous colony of photosynthetic organisms that are motile.

Cyanobacteria


"Mushroom Cap"


Synedra


"Bag Traps"

Midge

November 7th, 2008 - Observations

Over all growth in the aquarium seems to be more abundant, especially the vegetation. The bag traps seem to have grown much larger as well and the sensor hairs are much more defined and spread out. Some of the traps have organisms inside of them and others appear blue. cyanobacteria is also everywhere and seems much brighter green than before. The midge is also still hanging around in his usual place at the edge of the sedimate. He has grown much larger, so large that he's not fully visible in the microscope on low power (40x). His insides are visible to the point that I can even see what he has been eating. He also seems to be much more active. The dead remains of diatoms are also visible everywhere. Many of these are located at the bottom of the aquarium. I also found some "mushroom cap" looking organisms (pictured below). I found some interesting, live diatoms that i identified as Gyrosigma which is brownish yellow and native to East Tn,, also pictured below. Synedra were also found and pictured below. they are multiple diatoms connected at one point and they don't have raphes so they can't move.

Observations - October 24th, 2008

The overall growth in the aquarium seems more active. I think I spotted the same midge from the previous observation. He was located in the same place (the edge of the sediment). It appears much larger and everything is more defined. The insides were visible and I could even see the digestive system working. The legs were also visible and it moved in a very docile s movement. The tail also has small hooks that act like anchors, holding it to the dirt. It appears that it prefers the soil rather than the open aquarium. Cyanobacteria is located throughout the aquarium in larger amounts and is much larger than any other bacteria. They are linked together and appear to be a bluish green color. I also found Euglenoids in large amounts as well. The have green flagella and a brown interior with a red spot for an eye. The move very slowly and seam to float around with the ability to crawl. Pond scum is also abundant in the aquarium. The are distinct chains of cells with crossed, green pattered inside. The Bag Traps also seem to be more defined with long extending sensor hairs.

1. Observations - Oct. 15, 2008

Water Sample collected from: Tank 2 - French Broad River, Seven Islands Wildlife Refuge, Kelly Lane , Knox Co. Tennessee. Partial shade exposure French Broad River Water Shed N35 56.742 W83 41.628 841 ft 10/12/2008 (from term project blog information) Includes water and sediment samples.
Plant Samples: A - Amblystegium varium (Hedw.) Lindb. Moss. Collection from: Natural spring. Fountain City Park west of Broadway at Hotel Ave. Knox Co. Knoxville TN. Partial shade exposure. N 36o02' 15.18" W083o55' 59.95"988 ft. 10/13/2008
B - Utricularia vulgaris L. Flowering Plant. A carnivous plant. Collection from: Greenhouse in White Ave Biology Annex. The University of Tennessee. 1400 White Ave. Knox Co. Knoxville TN.Partial shade exposure N 35o57' 33.45" W083o55' 42.01". 932 ft 10/13/2008 (from term project blog information)

Initial Observations:
- Ultricularia vulgaris (Plant B): I observed many "bag like" contraptions attached to this plant. Apparently it is designed to capture the microscopic animals floating around. In one quick movement the bags suck in the animal and surrounding water. Hairs on the outside of this bag act like a trigger for the reaction.
- I also observed many other micro organisms floating around. Of which is a single cell organism that was stationary with hairs on either end which move with quick speratic flicks. These hairs appeared green. Possible cyliates - oxytricha?
- A creamed colored, multi-cellular s-worm. Moved with very speratic movements, almost random, located in the middle of the aquarium's water.
- Located at the edge of the aquarium's sediment sample I found a worm-looking organism. The exoskeleton was visible and almost clear. It only exposed half its body length at a time. The head appeared to have "eyes" and very short "antennas" in respect to its body length. Hairs located on the tail and moved consistently in a S shape. This organism is very possibly a mosquito larva or more likely a midge.