These images are of unusual and/or as yet unidentified specimens, any comments gratefully received.
Strombilidium caudatum; Identified with assistance from Dr Helmut Berger.
GROUP 1
PLATE 1: Strobilidium caudatum. Several specimens collected from water open surface. These specimens were very active whirling around on an almost invisible, non-contractile mucus stalk. Only the attached bacteria showed the presence of the long (100-150 microns) mucus stalk as seen above. The stalk must be relatively strong as the protist was putting a lot of strain on it. Note the large contractile vacuole and possible commensal algae. A video will be posted at a later date. Scale is 20 microns in all images.
PLATE 2: Same specimen as in plate 1.
PLATE 3: Image of another specimen with attached stalk, however this time not visible as out of the focal plane.
PLATE 4: Note contractile vacuole and long eyelash like cilia, possibly cerri.