Microlife

  • Detritus © Ken Davis
    Photo by David Rosen, Wildside Photography
    Detritus © Ken Davis

Algae

common name: Algae
scientific name: There are thousands of species of freshwater algae.
Three vernal pool algae are: Volvox, Chara and Zygnema.
classification: Most algae are plants. Some are in a special group that is neither plant nor animal.
habitat: most aquatic habitats on Earth.

Bacteria

common name: Bacteria
scientific name: over 100,000 different species
classification: Kingdom: Bacteria
habitat: Every habitat on Earth contains bacteria, including vernal pools, lakes and streams.

Detritus

common name: Muck, Rotting Stuff
scientific name: Detritus (pronounced di-TRY-tis)
habitat: bottom of vernal pools and other water bodies
size: microscopic to big chunks

Protozoa

common name: Protozo
scientific name: There are thousands of species of protozoa. Some groups found in vernal pools are: Vorticella, Heliozoa, and Ameoba
phylum: Protozoa
habitat: most aquatic habitats on earth
size: microscopic, 2 to 70 microns (0.002 to 0.07 mm)

Rotifers

common name: Rotifers
scientific name: many different species
phylum: Rotifera
habitat: vernal pools and other aquatic habitats
size: microscopic, 100 to 500 microns (0.1 to 0.5 mm)
Sacramento Splash - Helping children understand and value their natural world picture
VICTORY - Splash Lives!

Thanks to an outpouring of community support, the Board of the Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District (SRCSD) voted UNANIMOUSLY to continue funding the Splash program.

Click here to find out more.
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Sacramento Splash - Helping children understand and value their natural world picture
Who am I?

This weird vernal pool critter is green because it has algae living in its body.

Find out who this critter is!