A light brown diatom

The sample was observed immediately after being collected from a paddy field.

A light brown diatom is threading its way through soil particles. Without a specific organ for movement, how and by what mechanism does the diatom cell move around?

Commentary by Prof. Yuji Tsukii, Hosei University
This diatom belongs to genus Pinnularia. When it glides on a surface, it usually shows the top view, called the valve face. However in this video, it shows the side view, called the girdle face. When the organism encounters particles in its path, it rolls onto its side to get through them.

http://protist.i.hosei.ac.jp/PDB/Im.....

Sampling Date : 18 July 2006

Sampling Site : KASHIMADAI paddy field  Google Map