Chaetonotus (Gastrotricha) Movies

Chaetonotus Video No. 1 - A chaetonotus swims into a tangle of pond debris under phase contrast illumination at a magnification of 60x with a playing time of 26.9 seconds. Choose a playback format that matches your connection speed: 28.8k (modem), 56.6k (modem), or T1/Cable/DSL, or download this video clip in MPEG format (11.2 MB).

Chaetonotus Video No. 2 - A gastrotrich swims through vegetation and debris in search of food; under darkfield illumination at a magnification of 600x with a playing time of 39.1 seconds. Choose a playback format that matches your connection speed: 28.8k (modem), 56.6k (modem), or T1/Cable/DSL, or download this video clip in MPEG format (16.3 MB).

The Chaetonotus genus is the largest gastrotrich that occurs in freshwater and can be found in plant-choked ditches and mossy ponds. Gastrotrichs are microscopic multicellular animals, ranging in size from 0.1 to 1.5 millimeters (0.004 to 0.06 inch). Their bodies are covered by a distinctive cuticle, which is often scaly and spiny. The lobelike head typically bears four head tufts and the body ends in two pointed toes. Adhesive tubules are used for anchorage. Cilia on the head and underside of the animal are used for locomotion. Like many other gastrotrichs, Chaetonotus is parthenogenetic, producing unfertilized eggs that, in turn, produce females. Some eggs (tachyblastic) develop immediately while other eggs (opsiblastic) remain inactive for long periods and can survive dry and freezing conditions.