We were instructed to fill our aquariums with water from samples from a variety of water sources. I opted for a sample from the Dean's Woods- SpringCreek.I chose this sample because I hike often, and have washed my face and even taken a drink from creeks and streams like this. This being said, I interested in the kind of organisms present in that waterand whether or not I should stop this occasional indulgence.We were then given two aquatic plants: Amblestegium sp. (a moss by which the organisms can gather/hide around and feed on) and Utricularia gibba L. (a carnivorous flowering plant that may have an interesting effect on the organisms around it).
Upon first observation, not much was going on in there. I spotted a few worm like organisms whipping about that I soon identified as Nematoda sp.
Full sources: Plant A . Amblestegium sp. Moss. Collection from: Natural spring. at Carters Mill Park, Carter Mill Road, Knox Co. TN. Partial shade exposure. N36 01.168 W83 42.832. 10/9/2011
Plant B. Utricularia gibba L. Flowering plant. A carnivous plant. Original material from south shore of Spain Lake (N 35o55 12.35" W088o20' 47.00), Camp Bella Air Rd. East of Sparta Tn. in White Co. and grown in water tanks outside of greenhouse at Hesler Biology Building. The University of Tennessee. Knox Co. Knoxville TN.
Water Source. Dean's Creek, SpringCreek. Spring Creek off Woodson Dr running through Dean's Woods Road frontage., Knox Co. Tennessee. Partial shade exposure. Tennessee River water Shed N35 55.274 W083 56.888 848 ft 10/9/2011 Fissidens fontanus moss in stream
Book sources:
Forest, Herman Silva. 1954. Handbook of Algae. Knoxville (TN).
Patterson, D. J. 1996. Free-Living Freshwater Protozoa: A colour guide. London (England).
Rainis, Kenneth G and Russell,Bruce J. 1996. Guide to Microlife. Franklin Watts. Danbury, Connecticut.
