Bdelloid Rotifers Recorded with Canon T1i

Bdelloid Rotifers recorded at approximately 100x on an Amscope Model T-490B Trinocular scope with a Canon T1i mounted on the trinocular port and tethered to a PC using EOS Utility to record.

You can clearly see the rotary organs on the head here, [they don't really roatate, it's an optical illusion]. The Mastax is also clearly visdible, which is an organ equivilant to chompers, or your own teeth. These organs have been found in 100 million year old amber, the only prehistoric microbe parts ever found, other than testate amoeba shells and pollen.

Canon provides free software to shoot tethered to PC or Mac computers, using a supplied USB cord. It actually works quite well for stills and video. When using the camera with an AF lens, you can even focus using the buttons on the EOS Utility panel. When mounted on a microscope, focus is done with the microscope knobs.

The T1i is the 5th camera I have used, in search of something that would take good quality video and so far, it has done the best job. I have also used a Canon 1DMkIII for still, which did OK, but has the problem of blur from the shutter caused shake. I have used two Tucsen USB tube cameras, a 10Mp and a 5Mp. I would never recommend these cameras to anyone. They are pure junk and so is the software that comes with them. The last camera I tried was a CCD Sony surveillance type camera that actually did quite well, but you need to have a TV IN card on your computer to connect and record to.

While I freely admit to being partial to Canon cameras, the T1i is still the only camera I can recommend for use on a microscope. The image quality is very good at 15Mp, the tethering software is free with the camera, and the price is quite reasonable now.

By the way, I am looking for a Nikon Fluophot Phase Contrast Condenser. If you have one for sale, or know of one, please contact me.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• bdelloid
• rotifers
• canon
• T1i
• tethered
• shooting

[PondWaterWorld]

Nice video. Did you notice that the first rotifer's jaw was moving rhythmically to the music? =^)

[BirdWhisperer46]

@PondWaterWorld I have noticed that before, but it's pure chance, as the music was added when I uploaded, long after the recording process. :o)

[PondWaterWorld]

@BirdWhisperer46 How exactly do the rotifer's jaw work? I just posted a video of a rotifer mashing up an algal cell with its jaw, but how does it do that?

[BirdWhisperer46]

@PondWaterWorld There are several different kinds of mastax, or trophi and they work in different ways. Seach Google for "how do rotifer mastax work" and it will give a better explanation than I can. :o)

[DealinTy]

I cannot figure out what the small moving "oval organisms" are. Maybe chlamydomonas? Please i need help, i am doing a study at my college on zooplankton and pond life.

[BirdWhisperer46]

@DealinTy I don't know what they are. As yet, I have no decent high powered objective good enough to see them. I doubt they are chlamydomonas. More likely a ciliate, as they move too fast for flagellates. I have never actually found any information that even references the little guys.

[PondWaterWorld]

@BirdWhisperer46 The little organisms could be small Chilomonas.

[MediaFi]

@diegoram75 I agree, the footage was stunning.



[diegoram75]

The quality is very good. I want to know what kind of adapter did you use for your T1i?