Volvox Dances

Volvox was once described as "the first multi-cellular plant." Now it is generally thought of as a colony of algae cells that have made a sort of "long-term commitment". However you think of it, Volvox reproduces both asexually and sexually and the progeny always grow into the colony. The shots for this film were made at 100X magnification with a Swift FM-31 Field Microscope and Nikon Coolpix 885 Digital Camera. The sample was collected along the creek bank at Muir Beach, California. The dark "balls" inside the Volvox colonies are daughter cells or daughter colonies.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• science
• ecology
• volvox
• algae
• microscope

[WLanier]

For those who saw Volvox in class and found they did not move or spin. These were collected from the wild. Recently I ordered another species from Carolina Biological and I found those Volvox aureus moved more slowly and many did not show any motion at all.

[FyerEgg]

why dont they ever bump into eachother?

[WLanier]

They do bump into each other.

[yomega69]

Hmm thought it was green.

[WLanier]

Actually, Volvox is green. The LED light in the Swift Field microscope has maximum emission in the blue wavelengths, giving a blue-green color. This is an artifact of lighting.

[WLanier]

j40505 - see Daverocket, page 2, for reason Volvox is spinning.

[porklodgemaddness]

They are such lucky lifeforms, not a care in the world. Just to find a bit of sunlight and some organic matter. No taxes, no war, no fashion, just spinning.

[hinduw]

imagine how dizzy that thing must get!

[ahmelonicepop]

impressive

thanks for sharing this :)

[BranislavDJ]

He is cute ^^

:3

[bananian]

why do they spin?

[keilayefani]

they don't colide each other 'cause of the few electric charges that each of the small and little algae dispose to keep the natural balance...

[VladtheEmailer]

Like a floating jewel! I love volvox!

[atn212]

yes, all the one's in biology were either dead or not moving anywhere near as fast, thx... :D

[lordalexander74]

These creatures are pretty amusing. I tried to make a wet mount/slide with some Volvox, but I think I killed them. The parent colony burst open and the daughters were sprawled out nearby.

[colely]

I love getting pond water and seeing Volvox... They are so freaking awesome!!!! One time i got some type of worm and there were a dozen volvox swimming around it. freaking amazing...

[Fandrena]

Just like a gramohphone playing a record from way back when

[blondi195656]

they are covered with (two pair) of filaments around their surface