BLUE RIBBANDS GLOW RED ́
Blue-green cyanobacteria showing auto fluorescence, 400x
This image shows string-like cells of a blue-green cyanobacteria called
nostoc, glowing with fluorescent pigmentation. The red colour comes
from chlorophylls – chemicals that absorb light to be converted to usable
energy. Cyanobacteria are found all over the planet and have been considered
for many potential applications, from renewable electricity generation to food
production for humans on Mars.
Dr Kesara Anamthawat-Jonsson, Andrey Gagunashvili and Ólafur S
Andrésson, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Icelandμ O U
F di Fl l i i 0x
Each set of ear-like white loops in this
image is in fact the protruding head of
a single Floscularia ringens. More
commonly known as rotifers, these
bizarre, aquatic animals measure less
than one millimetre in length. The tiny
creatures build protective tubes – the
dark orange rods in this image – using
debris compressed into brick-like pellets
laid one upon the other. Anchored to an
underwater plant by its tube, each rotifer
feeds by beating the white loops on its
head, which are made of hair to propel
food into its mouth.
Charles B Krebs, Washington, USASHOW YOUR GUTS º
Living rotifer (Synchaeta), 400x
Meet one of the world’s weirdest animals:
the rotifer. While some rotifers live relatively
stationary lives (see above), the one seen
here is a free-swimming species,
measuring about half a
millimetre long and often
found milling around
rock pools. A crown
of tiny hairs called
cilia beat to move
it gracefully
through the
water. Although
the animal is
transparent, it
often contains
colourful patches- such as the green
blobs in this image – as
a result of bits of plants
and other food making their way
through its digestive system.
Dr Bernd Walz, University of Potsdam,
Germany
MICROBES
HAIRY HORNS AND TINY TREES μ
Colony of Carchesium ciliates, 160x
Each of these little ‘horns’ is one Carchesium ciliate, a protozoan cell that lives
underwater in colonies made up of hundreds of individuals. Every cell is attached
to the colony’s base by a long stalk, giving the colony a tree-like appearance.
The stalks can retract independently to protect the ciliates if the surrounding
water is disturbed. In this image, the stalks are extended for feeding, while
hairs around the mouth of each ‘horns’ – too small to see even in this
microscopic image – beat back and forth to pull in food.
Arturo Agostino, Reggio Calabria, Italy, 160xμ DOWN THE TUBE
Feeding Floscularia ringens, 50x
E h t f lik hit l i thiSCIENCE
7474 Vol. 8 Issue 3Vol. 8 Issue 3