Other individuals were observed more stretched, so we think it is a Bdelloid Rotifer.
It was caught in a net haul in a shallow, small eutrophic reservoir in Costa Rica.
Note that the scale bar should be 50 microns, instead of 10!
This bdelloid can be a Rotaria neptunia contracted.
The length/width ratio is quite typical. The foot is very long and telescopic.
Dear Gerardo,
it seems from fixed material. When you have to do with contacted Bdelloidea species you can try to press it in solution of glycerin between two cover glasses under stereomicroscope. If lucky appear leg and can see mastax, and with features of body covers, presence of eyes (color cannot be identified at formalin). Appearance of leg is very important, as it bears spurs and toes – extra important for identification.
Your specimen (I agree with Frederic) is Rotaria neptunia, as if it is from waste habitat of high saprobity. Serious identification key is:
Donner J. Ordnung Bdelloidea. Bestimmungsbucher zur bodenfauna Europas. Lieferung 6. -Berlin: Academie Verlag, 1965. -297 s.
Other can be useful (I’m attaching for you) but in Russian (use Google for translation) is for high saprobic localities like water- purification systems.
Andrey
Dear All,
so, as question of high trophic/saprobic species identification is enough important. esp for the authors working with bioindicators, I imroved by ABBYY FineReader 11 the quality of this key from Kutikova, 1984 (look attachement), as it can be enough useful for hydrobiologists, and for bachelors in taxonomy.
Andrey
Dear Andrey
Thank you for your answer. The reservoir where we found the specimen has a highly saprobic condition. The material you provided will be of great help for us.
Yours
Gerardo Umaña
Yes, Rotaria neptunia. I've recently found a couple of them contrated, like this.
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