Moss Menageries with AGiR!

This will be the space to add info about the Moss Fauna that is being studied at the Hackuarium!! Glass petrie dishes with moss are available for all to examine! Some very interesting creatures, including rotifers, amoeba, and waterbears (tardigrades) have been spotted.

The idea behind this effort is to raise awareness of how many different species can be found in this natural habitat! (to aid in terms of public consciousness about how we can impact these varied creatures without realising it and hopefully stimulate conservation efforts!)

Amazingly, fully dry moss harbors many creatures that can be 'brought to life' when put in water! Following the evolution of these miniature ecosystems over time is also of great interest, so eventually this page will link to other pages following individual 'cultures' - some of which were established last summer!

Just to begin, here is one special protozoan, first spotted on the move by Sam. (thanks!)

Thanks to a number of inquiries, I finally found someone who could identify this being, which is actually a sort of amoeba, one of a number termed 'testate amoeba' which make a special protective 'helmet' of mineral matter (especially silica) and its own secreted 'glue.'

George Sartiano is his name, a retired professor and medical doctor in oncology and he was so inspired by my request, that he has made a new youtube channel for his old video micrographs!