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The Big Feast or The Feast of the Big Ones (II) |
![]() | Fig. 1: moss cushion, plucked off by birds, landed bottom-up, inhabited by Macrobiotus richtersi. |
We had not shown too many photomicrographs of Macrobiotus richtersi
in this journal previously, as Macrobiotus richtersi is seemingly confirming a common prejudice
that all tardigrades are "worm-like" creatures. |
![]() | Fig. 2: Macrobiotus richtersi. Its cylindrical body doesn't reveal much anatomic detail. |
![]() | Fig. 3: Anterior body and head region of Macrobiotus richtersi. Characteristic macroplacoids (rows of three identically sized macroplacoids). We can follow the food on its way through the organism: entering by the mouth opening (a "kissing" type mouth) which is able to make permanent contact with potential food > then mouth tube > then the so-called oesophagus (a globular chewing stomach) > followed by a very faint, slim tube connecting to > the stomach-intestine region (grainy appearance). |
![]() | Fig. 4: Tiny claws on the last pair of legs of Macrobiotus richtersi (Macrobiotus type symmetrical claws). |
![]() | Fig. 5: Egg of Macrobiotus richtersi with typical conical protrusions. Total diameter ca. 125 µm. |
![]() | Fig 6: egg of Macrobiotus richtersi as seen in strong backlight. Please note the network pattern between the egg protrusions. |
After having seen the body of Macrobiotus richtersi we will go on with a discussion of its table manners in the upcoming March issue! |
Literature
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© Text, images and video clips by
Martin Mach (webmaster@baertierchen.de). |