Cyanobacteria Doing the Dance of 3.5-billion Years

These are Cyanobacteria, a species of Oscillatoria, seen at 1,000x magnification. Each of the little disks in the long filament is a single cell, tracing its ancestory back 3.5-billion years. They spent the first 3-billion years creating our oxygen atmosphere, and Cyanobacteria are still the most important creatures responsible for regenerating and cleaning our oxygen atmosphere. This is a new version of the videomicrograph, with music. Cyanobacteria from Heron's Head Salt Marsh in San Francisco; 1,000x HMC Videomicrography & music by Wayne Lanier.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Cyanobacteria
• Oscillatoria

[kaoruneko16]

YOUR CYANOBACTERIA WERE MOVING!!!! Two weeks ago, we examined pond organisms and I couldn't see crap! how come!? Did they die?!

[WLanier]

FOR ECHOMEDIA & KAORUNEKO. Sample Oscillatoria sp. from pond [salinity ~40-PPT], Heron's Head Park salt marsh, San Francisco Bay. Oil immersion 1000x Hoffman Modulation Contrast Olympus optics, Irvine stand, high-intensity Dolan-Jenner fiber optic light, Nikon Coolpix 885 camera. NOT ALL CYANOBACTERIA ARE MOTILE. The majority in salt pond mats are, but some are not. Sample from just above the bottom mat.

[kaoruneko16]

Ah, thanks for pointing out. I think I did see some cyanobacteria now that I think about it. I thought they were dust specks.

[WLanier]

In my double reply I also described the quite powerful microscope. I should also note that this species of Oscillatoria is rather large. Taken altogether, it is unlikely that you will experience quite the visual effect with most microscopes and most species of Cyanobacteria, especially fresh water species. Also, not all Cyanobacteria arrive on the slide accompanied by Cello and Violin...!

[WLanier]

Actually, I have been busy in the salt marsh over the summer and early fall. Mostly to make very boring measurements instead of lots of videomicrographs. Well, one serves the other. Now that I have learned to write and add music to the clips, expect to see more near term.

[22Burnette]

fantastic!

[amauta5]

It's rather amazing how we own our existence to those little protists.

[echomedia]

Wayne-

Beautiful Images and very appropriate music.

Can you tell me what equipment you used? (brand/type of microscope and video camera) Did you use oil immersion lenses? I have had trouble getting clear and colorful images at 1000x

Thanks.

[zaster79]

Brilliant, thanks for the explanation as well.

[femtoguts]

thanks