The tardigrade reality show Obviously, it might be ethically doubtful to remove an inhabited moss cushion
from its original position and to soak it in a petri dish in order to finally topple it
over until the tardigrades are falling out. |
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Comment Compared to usual videos showing tardigrades in artificial environment
it becomes apparent that this tardigrade is not just struggling in order to grasp
a safe moss leaf but instead follows some reasonable course of action.
Of course we have no chance to understand the motivation behind the movement.
It might still be possible that the tardigrade is feeling uneasy because of
the relatively strong light which might imply rapid desiccation and thus danger
under natural conditions. |
An interesting field microscope Many microscope amateurs are routinely screening Ebay auctions in order to
get additional information on rare microscope equipment. In particular
small field microscopes
tend to be scarce and highly priced. The list of those collectible "cult" instruments
is not very long: Nikon Model H, Swift FM31, Swift M51, McArthur microscope, Hensoldt Tami
and Hensoldt Protami. Those instruments are quite interesting for the tardigrade enthusiast as well.
Of course the psychology behind this attitude is a mixture of reasonable motives and glamour motives,
i.e. to own a very portable thoroughly scientific instrument with a little bit
of James Bond glamour. And you might remember that even the rational and sober Sherlock Holmes
praised his tiny field microscope.
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Martin Mach (webmaster@baertierchen.de).
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