A diatom with particles inside

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

A diatom is traveling slowly through soil aggregates. Inside the cell, a lot of tiny particles are moving within the cytoplasm.

Commentary by Prof. Yuji Tsukii, Hosei University
This organism is a diatom belonging to genus Surirella. When diatoms glide, they usually show the top view, called the valve face. However, in this video, the cell shows the side view, called the girdle face. This organism is probably Surirella robusta or a related species.

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

Sampling Date : 18 July 2006

Sampling Site : KASHIMADAI paddy field  Google Map