Rotifer

Kingdom: Animal
Image Courtesy of: Whallon, Joanne
Image Width: 100 microns
Image Technology: Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy

This microbe is a tiny, true animal. The name rotifer is from Latin meaning "Wheel bearer". The two wheels on rotifers are made of cilia that beat and create a current that draws water containing food into the gut of the rotifer. These live mainly in freshwater, in bogs, lakes, and rivers, although some inhabit seas and damp soil. There are about 2000 species of rotifers. Rotifers eat bacteria, protists and other small animals.