Just another worm

Tubifex tubifex, is a ringworm from the Tubificidae family. The scientific name of the species was first published for the first time in 1774 by Müller. It inhabits the sediments of lakes and rivers on several continents.

What has microscopy to do with a beggar?

A connection really exists. Somewhere in the south of the Netherlands, on the estate of late professor Eugene Dubois, is a beautiful lake called 'The Bedelaar' or 'The Beggar'. In this lake, the aquatic micro life has been investigated using Motic microscopes. The movie tells about the results of this microscopic survey, supplemented by information about the professor, about his estate and the renowned hydro biologist Neele Wibaut.

So watch the movie and enjoy the footage of microscopically small underwater organisms.

Golden colonial algae

The term colonial as used here applies to algae composed of free-swimming look alike unicells, which form groups that may be large and elaborately interconnected as in Volvox, or smaller and relatively simple as in Synura.

The Synura colonies shown in this video - taken in phase contrast - have ovoid golden-brown cells characteristic of the Chrysophyta, each cell bearing two flagella whose beating propels the colony through the water with a smooth rolling motion.