Small pond creatures ID?

OckViewer · #1 (**permalink**) 13-03-2010, 05:24 PM

Hi all pond experts,

After the recent cold snap I've noticed these small creatures in abundance seemingly feeding off algae on the side of the pond.

I initially thought they were water mites, but having looked at pictures on the internet - I'm not convinced.

They're about 2mm in width and look like very small baked beans when the picture is enlarged....

Any suggestions on what they might be?

Many thanks

Richard

Gerel · #2 (**permalink**) 13-03-2010, 05:48 PM

Hi Richard,

I think they might well be ostracods, a type of small crustacean.

regards

Steve

OckViewer · #3 (**permalink**) 13-03-2010, 06:09 PM

Hi Gerel,

Thanks for the swift reply, I've looked up Ostracods on the internet and you seem to be right - thanks.

Any idea how they got in the pond? It's quite new and has been filled up from the water butt and birds do like to drink and wash in the shallow bits.

Richard

Ukwildlifeo · #4 (**permalink**) 14-03-2010, 05:04 PM

I'll second the ostracod id. Nice find, I've only seen 2 live ones (though I picked through 1000s of dead ones on my masters project!). They are hard to ID to species level (and even genus) with out looking at inside of the shell/carapce and legs.

OckViewer · #5 (**permalink**) 14-03-2010, 07:10 PM

Hi Ukwildlifeo,

> Nice find

Cheers. Good to get a complement from an ostracod expert. Can I ask what your masters project was called? And is any of it on the internet? I'd be very interested to know more about these small creatures that now frequent our pond.

Gerel · #6 (**permalink**) 17-03-2010, 11:27 PM

Regarding how they got to your pond, I've seen some references suggesting that they are possibly transported on the legs/feathers of birds. In particular ducks and waders are mentioned but it doesn't seem impossible that smaller birds, drinking or bathing in ponds, may also carry them.

Steve

(Edit to add, I only know of them from paleo. course at uni. so have no experience of living ones)