Critters of the Water Drop

Rotifer 1

14" X 8 3/4"
Acrylic on Paper

Commonly called "Wheel Animacules"
rotifers are a fairly large phylum of
microscopic animals that feed on other,
smaller animals. This a fresh water
species with a red lorica is a suspension
feeder that sweeps food into its mouth with
beating cilia and the pumping action of its
teeth-like 'mastax'. Rotifers are an
important part of the freshwater and
marine food webs.

Amoeba 1

15" X 110 1/4"
Acrylic on Paper

A shelled amoeba of the family Arsellidae. This
is a fresh water species

Water Bear 1

arcylic on paper 10" x 15"

Water Bears are in a phylum of their
own, Tardigrada. They are
microscopic animals thought to be
related to arthropods. They feed on
the organic detritus and the bacteria
of decay. This is a freshwater
species which is fairly common in
North America

Critters of the Water Drop:
Dero

10" x 16"
acrylic on watercolor paper

This is a rendition of species of
freshwater segmented worm A
common denizen of North American
wetlands, it also feeds on organic
detritus and bacteria. The hand-like
structure at the posterior end is
respiratory in function.

Critters of the Water Drop:
Pristina

10" x 16"
acrylic on watercolor paper

Another freshwater, segmented
worm commonly found in North
American ponds and lakes. By
feeding on the detritus and the
bacteria these animals are an
important part of the food web. This
one respires through a cloaca-like
chamber in the last segment.

Critters of the Water Drop:
Aeolosoma

10" x 16"
Acrylic on watercolor paper

A more "primitive" segmented
worm from freshwater ponds. This
one sweeps food into its mouth
with its cilia. These usually have
colorful oil drops within their outer
epithelium

Critters of the Water Drop:
Gyratrix

16" x 10"
Acrylic on watercolorpaper

A microscopic flatworm found in
freshwaters world wide. They are
predators feeding on rotifers and other
animals. Although their mouth is in the
middle of their body, they can expand it as
needed. This species is hermaphroditic
with a needle-like penis which injects
sperm into its mate. According to the
literature some species also use the penis
to capture prey!

Critters of the Water
Drop: Biting Rotifer

10" x 16"
Acrylic on watercolor paper

Another 'wheel animacule' this type
of rotifer extends its mastax out of its
mouth to grasp the passing prey.
The image on the left demonstrates
the telescoping body parts common
in rotifers which allows them to
change swimming direction quickly.

Critters of the Water Drop:
Spinning Water Fleas

10" x 16"
Acrylic on watercolor paper

A common microscopic freshwater
crustacean found in shallow water. An
important part of the food web these
water fleas also help churn up the
detritus on the bottom of a pond
making it more available to other
critters