Some more microscopic life. Magnification x 400.
This video shows a small thread of cyanobacteria. I think the two large spherical structures on the left side are heterocysts which are able to fix atmospheric nitogen when other forms of nitrogen such as nitrate are scarce.
It looks like the thread has become infected by small bacteria swimming around inside but I'm not sure about this.
The second video shows a member of the euglena genus but I have no idea which one of the 1000 plus varieties it is. They are photosynthetic like plants but also have some animal-like characteristics. They occur around the world in both fresh and brackish water.
As well as using sunlight as a source of energy they also feed on other microorganisms. Some varieties are pathogenic in humans e.g. African sleeping sickness and leishmaniasis.
I don't know about you, but after seeing this creepy varmint I had an attack of germophobia.
Enjoy (or not).
Richard
