Infusoria are minute freshwater life forms including
ciliate
The ciliates are a group of alveolates characterized by the presence of hair-like organelles called cilia, which are identical in structure to eukaryotic flagella, but are in general shorter and present in much larger numbers, with a differen ...
s,
euglenoids,
protozoa, unicellular
algae and small
invertebrates. Some authors (e.g.,
Bütschli) used the term as a synonym for
Ciliophora. In modern formal classifications, the term is considered obsolete; the
microorganisms previously included in the Infusoria are mostly assigned to the kingdom
Protista.
Aquarium use
Infusoria are used by owners of aquaria to feed fish
fry; because of its small size it can be used to rear newly hatched fry of many common aquarium species. Many home aquaria are unable to naturally supply sufficient infusoria for fish-rearing, so hobbyists may create and maintain their own supply
cultures
Culture () is an umbrella term which encompasses the social behavior, institutions, and norms found in human societies, as well as the knowledge, beliefs, arts, laws, customs, capabilities, and habits of the individuals in these groups.Tylo ...
or use one of the many commercial cultures available.
[Sharpe, Shirlie (December 22, 2018)]
"How to Culture Your Own Infusoria at Home"
The Spruce Pets. Retrieved August 28, 2019. Infusoria can be cultured by soaking any decomposing vegetative matter such as papaya skin in a jar of aged (i.e., chlorine-free) water. The culture starts to proliferate in two to three days, depending on temperature and light received. The water first turns cloudy because of a rise in levels of bacteria, but clears up once the infusoria consume them. At this point, the infusoria are usually visible to the naked eye as small, white motile specks.
See also
*
Animalcules
References
Bibliography
* Ratcliff, Marc J. (2009). The Emergence of the Systematics of Infusoria. In
''The Quest for the Invisible: Microscopy in the Enlightenment'' Aldershot: Ashgate. infusoria dieses first identified in 18th
sentury in 1773 by o.f.mular(zoologist)
External links
Types of Protozoans and video
Fishkeeping
Obsolete eukaryote taxa
Microscopic discoveries by Antonie van Leeuwenhoek
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