Microbiota of Temperate Woodlands And Wetlands

The microbiota of temperate woodlands and wetlands are fascinating and diverse. Microbiota are important in any habitat, and have a huge effect on the plants, megafauna, and overall biodiversity in that habitat.

Tardigrades

Tardigrades have gained some fame in the recent decades, and are famous for their ability to survive the most inhospitable conditions. They have eight stubby little legs, and the biggest can grow up to around a millimeter long. Like many small creatures, they are easy to find after it rains. Look at moss and bark under a magnifying glass and see if you can find some.

Hydra

These are another organism that are very hard to get rid of. Like the mythical monster of Ancient Greek mythology, cutting hydra won't kill them.

Stentors

Horn shaped stentors are filter-feeding ciliates. They are one of the largest unicellular organisms, and some can reach up to two millimeters in length.

Rotifers

These are rather peaceful creatures, especially compared to stentors and hydra.

Daphnia

Daphnia are a type of plankton that can be found almost anywhere, especially in freshwater. Puddles, lakes, ponds, and vernal pools are some of the many places daphnia make their homes.

Nematodes

These little worm-like creatures are easy to see with the naked eye. Look under bricks, roll over a log, or turn up some leaf litter. I find a lot near my quail coop, and I suspect that they are attracted to the quail droppings. Nematodes love moisture, and are really happy when it rains. Although they look a lot like parasites, many nematode species are harmless. That being said, some are parasitic, and a common kind of parasitic nematode can be found in fishtanks. Snails are another host of parasitic nematodes. This is another reason to always quarentine new animals before adding them to a community tank.

Parameceum

Diatoms

These are extremely beautiful, and come in many shapes, sizes, and colors. Diatoms are a kind of algae, and can look like ribbons, stars, triangles, and other shapes.