Unicellular organisms studied alive using photographic and video techniques

BUMA, A, ESTRADA, M., LARSEN,J., RIEBESELL, U., SCHLOSS, I.R. AND THOMSEN, H.

Reports on Polar Research

Alfred-Wegener-Institut

Año: 1989 p. 102 - 110

Water samples and net plankton samples preserved with different kinds of fixatives form the basis of many post-EPOS research activities related to the unicellular plankton organisms. Diatorns and also the thecate dinoflagellates preserve well, even though the beauty of the living cell is lost forever. Identification of many smaller, "naked" flagellates is difficult or even impossible after fixation. In some cases, a characteristic Pattern of movernent is crucial for the identification, and in other cases delicate morphological characteristics have to be noted. Flash-photography, which we have used extensively to record in particular the "naked" dinoflagellate diversity of the area, is one means to overcome some of the problems caused by the necessity of having to preserve samples. Another possibility to Store information on living material is to use modern video-technology.