What is this Unknown Organism
Regarding Unknown Organism
Characteristics: The organism is visible with out a microscope. It appears to be a ciliate protozoan. It has only oral cilia. Its base is attached to objects with strands. These strands though barely visible under a microscope appear to possibly have a strong adhesive. It is not clear as to if this is a colonial or single organism. The feeding bodies are attached to one another in dense clusters at the tips of the long branched stalks. The stalks are very durable and do not break easily. The feeding bodies are able to retract their cilia when disturbed but do not appear to retract into the stalk. The feeding bodies when disturbed tend to retract their cilia at the same moment. The branched stalk does not move. It May feed on bacteria. Other food is unknown.
Location: Mendocino California, Freshwater pond, attached to shell of a living freshwater snail (possible symbiotic relationship), water temperature (≈) 40˚F
Date Found: 12/22/08
I posted a few photos of this organism to this group
Category: AquaticLife
