Rotifer Feeding II 


[NO NARRATION, VISUAL ONLY] 


- The video shows the field of view of a microscope, which focuses on a rotifer surrounded by debris in the sample on either side. 


In the beginning of the video clip, the rotifer has an oblong shape, then it retracts some of its body into a more stout shape before extending again in search of food. 


At around 16 seconds into the video, the mouth opens, transforming the rotifer from a regular oblong shape into an oblong shape extending outward at the top in a trumpet-like shape known as the corona, lined with fast moving cilia that sweep inward. 


At around 27 seconds the rotifer then quickly retracts inward, closing the mouth and contracting its body. It then slowly expands back to its normal shape. 


The video then jumps forward, showing the rotifer fully expanded and with the cilia lined mouth open again. The rotifer moves its body side to side in order to allow the cilia to try to catch food. 


The cavity inside the rotifer contains its stomach, full of green debris and is farthest from the mouth, the debris inside is being churned and digested. Between the mouth and stomach it also contains the mastax, which contracts, facilitating food from the mouth to the stomach. 


The rotifer retracts and expands once more, searching for food.