This is it next to a rotifer.
I'm almost done with a microbes /w music video and I just cannot find any leads on this fella. I'm not so versed in microscopy though. I found this guy in a stream. I got a good amount of soil and moss in the sample. There also happens to be an invasive snail population in that stream called a mud snail.
I could try to upload a video somewhere of it if any of y'all think that would help.
8 Comments
Arcanepotato@crazypeople.online · 2 pts · 130d
Have you considered if it could be a bristle worm? I haven't seen them under darkfield, so I'm not very confident at all, but the size is right.
pebbles@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 130d
I just looked into that a bit I don't think it is a bristle worm. It seems to have a foot to grab onto stuff with. This foot is really throwing me for a loop. Otherwise I would just think it is a worm of some kind.
Thanks anyways!
Edit: These toes really give me rotifer vibes, but the rest of the fella does not give rotifer vibes.
Arcanepotato@crazypeople.online · 3 pts · 130d
The feet look really tiny, too tiny to be a water bear? The body is segmented and it looks like a digestive tube, which are all pro water bear signs.
What a mysterious little friend
https://www.pcwracolorado.org/water-bears-tardigrade
pebbles@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 129d
Yeah the feet don't move like a water bear. I see the resemblance from the top down angles. I'm starting to lean towards it being a larvae of some kind.
This is a picture of a midge fly larvae:
My guy definitely isn't that, but it has the segmented body and foot at the back. So maybe mystery dude is some other insect larvae?
Arcanepotato@crazypeople.online · 2 pts · 129d
Oh god midge fly larvae are so gross lol.
Sorry I couldn't help but thanks for sharing your images!
pebbles@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 129d
Awe I think they are cute! They have little 'hands' near their head. My YouTube profile picture is a midge fly larvae:
https://youtube.com/@parkersmicrobes
You can't tell me that that little guy doesn't tug on your heart strings.
Arcanepotato@crazypeople.online · 1 pts · 128d
They are so much more gross in bright field
pebbles@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 128d
Ah yeah I see that lol. That's a really nice photo even though it is gross. It has great detail.