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Uploaded:
2016-04-25T19:35:43.000Z
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504
Video Title:
A Bouquet of Protozoa: Zoothamnium from the Patuxent
Description:
These bell-shaped protozoa, called Zoothamnium, form large colonies connected by a stalk with a high-speed spring inside. Whenever they sense a disturbance, the stalk contracts, drawing the cells into safety, and expands again once the disturbance has passed. SERC marine biologist Tim Mullady captured this microscopic video of Zoothamnium from Maryland's Patuxent River in April. Watch to see the colony branch out like a bouquet of flowers at 0:13, 0:32 and 0:56!