1. Common Phytoplankton and Zooplankton in Carroll County Ponds Some Examples

2. Phytoplankton Kingdom Monera – The Blue-green “Algae” Nostoc sp. Forms colonies composed of filaments of moniliform cells in a gelatinous sheath Possess heterocysts (clear, thick-walled cells) capable of nitrogen fixation

3. Phytoplankton Kingdom Monera – The Blue-green “Algae” Lyngbya sp. Filaments lack heterocysts Filaments with equal diameter throughout whole length Rigid sheath that can extend beyond the cells in the filament

4. Phytoplankton Kingdom Monera – The Blue-green “Algae” Merismopedia sp. Cells arranged in perpendicular rows one cell thick to form rectangular colonies The colonies may be flat or slightly wavy and are held together by colorless, indistinct mucilage

5. Phytoplankton Division Chlorophyta – Green Algae Botryococcus sp. Cells form an irregularly shaped aggregates, with thin filaments connecting cells. Will bloom when in the presence of elevated levels of dissolved inorganic phosphorus Has potential as a producer of biofuels

6. Phytoplankton Division Chlorophyta – Green Algae Scenedesmus sp. Colonies with 4, 8, or 16 cells arranged in a row. Spines and bristles make the colonies more buoyant and allow them to uptake the light and nutrients that are more abundant near the surface, and may deter predation by herbivores May be dense in nutrient- rich waters

7. Ankistrodesmus sp. Cells are long and needle- or spindle- shaped, or sometimes curved or slightly crescent-shaped. May be found individually, clustered, twisted around each other, or in tufts among other algae. The parietal chloroplasts sometimes have pyrenoids Phytoplankton Division Chlorophyta – Green Algae

8. Staurastrum sp. Cells composed of two halves (semicells), often almost divided from each other by deep median incisions (True of all desmids) Often bear elaborate ornamentation Many small processes and arms tipped with spines Phytoplankton Division Chlorophyta – A Desmid

9. Fragilaria sp. Frustules rectangular to lanceolate, in girdle view Frustules are joined by small marginal spines to form ribbon like (band-shaped) colonies. Phytoplankton Division Bacillariophyta – Diatoms

10. Dinobryon sp. Loricate Lorica cylindrical and consisting primarily or entirely of cellulose and protein; vase- or Funnel-shaped and often with a slightly broadened mouth Forming arbusculate (tree-like) colonies (rarely solitary) Phytoplankton Division Chrysophyta – The Golden Algae

11. Phytoplankton Division Pyrrophyta – Dinoflagellates Peridinium sp. Motile, single, golden-brown cells Outer covering of rigid plates Two flagella

12. Phytoplankton Division Rhodophyta – Red Algae Porphyridinium sp. Cell with pink to red chloroplasts Cells solitary, but often grouped into irregular colonies with ill-defined mucilaginous matrix. Forms gelatinous coatings on surfaces in freshwaters

13. Zooplankton Kingdom Protista – Protozoans, Ciliates Prorodon sp. Flexible ovoid body, round in cross-section Mouth apical Swims in large circles, revolving rapidly around the long axis of its body. Eats bacteria, green algae, and small nematodes. Cytoplasm typically filled with food particles.

14. Zooplankton Kingdom Protista – Protozoans, Ciliates Didinium sp. Didinium are unicellular and have an oval shape and two rows of cilia Front ends in a pointed snout (cytosome). Free-living carnivores Feed on other protists, dinoflagellates, and green algae

15. Zooplankton Kingdom Protista – Protozoans, Ciliates Stentor sp. Among the largest aquatic protozoans. Up to 2 mm long, they are larger than some of the smallest multicellular organisms Usually attach to substrates and form a trumpet shape. If they are free-swimming, they assume an oval or pear shape. A major characteristic of Stentor is the rapid contraction and extension of the cell body.

16. Zooplankton Phylum Rotifera – Rotifers Keratella sp. A footless rotifer which possesses a protective covering, or lorica, made up of hexagonal plates Has a crown of anterior spines May or may not have a posterior spine

17. Zooplankton Phylum Arthropoda, Class Crustacea, Order Ostracoda – Seed Shrimp Unidentified Ostracod Jointed appendages Body flattened from side to side and protected by a bivalve-like, chitinous or calcareous valve or "shell". They have a wide range of diets, and the group includes carnivores, herbivores, scavengers, and filter feeders.

18. Zooplankton Phylum Arthropoda, Class Crustacea, Order Copepoda – Seed Shrimp Cyclopoid Copepod (likely Cyclops sp.) Jointed body and appendages With a teardrop shaped body and large antennae. Have a compound, median single eye, usually bright red and in the centre of the transparent head Cyclopoid copepods have antennae shorter than length of body

19. Zooplankton Phylum Arthropoda, Class Crustacea, Larval Stage Unidentified Nauplius larva Jointed appendages Oval body with 3 pair of appendages Immature form of copepods, cladocerans, and ostracods