This is it next to a rotifer.

I'm almost done with a microbes /w music video and I just cannot find any leads on this fella. I'm not so versed in microscopy though. I found this guy in a stream. I got a good amount of soil and moss in the sample. There also happens to be an invasive snail population in that stream called a mud snail.

I could try to upload a video somewhere of it if any of y'all think that would help.

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[–] 2 points 6 months ago (7 children)

Have you considered if it could be a bristle worm? I haven't seen them under darkfield, so I'm not very confident at all, but the size is right.

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  • [–] [S] 1 point 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (6 children)

    I just looked into that a bit I don't think it is a bristle worm. It seems to have a foot to grab onto stuff with. This foot is really throwing me for a loop. Otherwise I would just think it is a worm of some kind.

    Thanks anyways!

    Edit: These toes really give me rotifer vibes, but the rest of the fella does not give rotifer vibes.

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  • [–] 3 points 6 months ago (5 children)

    The feet look really tiny, too tiny to be a water bear? The body is segmented and it looks like a digestive tube, which are all pro water bear signs.

    What a mysterious little friend

    https://www.pcwracolorado.org/water-bears-tardigrade

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  • [–] [S] 1 point 6 months ago (4 children)

    Yeah the feet don't move like a water bear. I see the resemblance from the top down angles. I'm starting to lean towards it being a larvae of some kind.

    This is a picture of a midge fly larvae:

    My guy definitely isn't that, but it has the segmented body and foot at the back. So maybe mystery dude is some other insect larvae?

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  • [–] 2 points 6 months ago (3 children)

    Oh god midge fly larvae are so gross lol.

    Sorry I couldn't help but thanks for sharing your images!

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  • [–] [S] 1 point 6 months ago (2 children)

    Awe I think they are cute! They have little 'hands' near their head. My YouTube profile picture is a midge fly larvae:

    https://youtube.com/@parkersmicrobes

    You can't tell me that that little guy doesn't tug on your heart strings.

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