3.3.2 Micro-animal Consumers
Cyclidium glaucoma
Cyclidium glaucoma is a ciliate protozoan that feeds on bacteria. The sizes of the
cells range from 15 to 25 μm in length, are ovoid in shape, and are 10 μm in width.
The growth rate of this species is the fastest among all of the predators in the
microcosm and decreases gently after peaking during the transition period on the
4th day after culturing begins (onset of culturing: 0–14 days after). It moves quickly,
but it is necessary to carefully watch the ciliary movement even on the occasions in
which it stops and to count it when it moves or stops suddenly. It may be treated as a
rare species in the natural ecosystem based on previous evaluations (which have
shown that there is an influence even if the species disappears) of a structural
parameter for the addition of chemical substances and changes in environmental
conditions.
Lecane sp.
Lecane sp. is a rotifer that feeds on bacteria. Its body length ranges from 50 to
100 μm, and its body is oval in shape. It has a tail, and there are no corners. It feeds
while swimming, but the movement is slow. “Lepadella sp.” as described in the
documentation of the microcosm is indicative of this species.
24
K. Shibata et al.