Week 2

The water for the Microaquarium came from Pond at Sterchi Hills Greenway Trail. The plants added to the habitat was a collection of moss and a Utricularia vulgaris, a carnivorous flowering plant. Over the past week I have observed many changes in the Microaquarium. The carnivorous buds of the Utricularia vulgaris have grown larger, which therefore traps more organisms for food for the plant, as can be seen in the picture. Many Rotifers have grown in numbers throughout the habitat. The most numerous organism are the shelled rotifers which can usually be found feeding on both plant species. New species of organisms have been discovered such as the Seed Shrimp. Ostracods, also known as Seed Shrimp, are similar to mulloscs. They have two shells with valves joined by a hinge and microfilter water to trap assorted protists, mold, and other microbials (Guide to Microlife, 209). The Microaquarium continues to grow inside and should keep changing over the next few weeks.