Plankton

I love rotifers! They seem to be the testing ground for so many ways to move and survive in a pond. The rotifers included in my observations are all from one small section of a nameless pond in the Chuckanut Trail system. I did three plankton tows as part of a wetland study from about 2017 through 2018. And, for the study, I creatively named the water body: Chuckanut Pond.

I was able to borrow collection, preservation and microscopy equipment from Skagit Valley College's Environmental Conservation lab, then set up a microscope at my kitchen counter for a few months to view and attempt to identify plankton. There were a few cladocerans and copepods. But mostly there were lots of different rotifers, along with some exquisite single-celled algae.

I'm not completely sure about any of my IDs. But this first one, Testudinella patina, seems like it could be what I think it is based on comparing it with some online images. However, I'll take any suggestions and feedback from anyone who is more confident about rotifer identification.

Posted on 18 April, 2020 23:25 by