Synchaeta (cold water rotifer)
Synchaeta spp. · Aquatic life
Under the microscope · Photo: Wilke T, Ahlrichs WH, Bininda-Emonds ORP (2019) A weighted taxonomic matrix key / CC BY 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Also called Synchaeta oblonga, Synchaeta tremula, Synchaeta pectinata
How to identify Synchaeta (cold water rotifer)
- Microscopic, soft, cone or bell shaped body about 0.1 to 0.5 mm
- Two ear like lobes with cilia at the wide head end
- Short foot with two small toes
- Very delicate; often damaged in preserved lab samples
Similar species
Polyarthra has long paddles along the sides; Asplanchna is a larger sac with no foot.
Profile
| Season | Many species peak in cold water in winter, under ice and early spring, though some species are common in summer. |
|---|---|
| Starts | Cold water, under about 50 F |
| Depth | Open water |
| How it spreads or reproduces | Females clone themselves through the season; tough resting eggs survive drying and travel on birds, wind and equipment |
| Habitat | Open water of ponds, lakes and reservoirs. |
Why it matters in a lake
A common winter and spring grazer on small algae. Because it is fragile, labs may undercount it in preserved samples.
Where it is found
- Idaho: Common
- Oregon: Common
- Wyoming: Common
Classification
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Rotifera |
| Class | Eurotatoria |
| Order | Ploima |
| Family | Synchaetidae |
| Scientific name | Synchaeta spp. |
Keratella (spined rotifer)
Polyarthra (feather rotifer)
Brachionus (rotifer)
Asplanchna (sac rotifer)
Kellicottia (long spine rotifer)
Filinia (bristle rotifer)
Trichocerca (rat tail rotifer)
Conochilus (colonial rotifer)
Lecane (flat rotifer)
Euchlanis (glass rotifer)Need a hand?
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