how do you make Infusoria?..........(Infusoria and Its Culture)

 

Infusoria and Its Culture

Taxonomic Position

• Infusoria are tiny, microscopic single-celled organisms.
• They belong to:
• Class: Ciliate
• Phylum: Protozoa

Habit and Habitat

• Infusoria are found in:
• Freshwater ponds and tanks
• Brackish and marine water habitats
• They thrive in environments with:
• Decaying weeds
• Organic matter
• Foul-smelling debris

Food and Feeding

• Infusoria feed on:
• Micro-organisms (e.g., bacteria, algae)
• Debris
• Nutrition type: Holozoic
• Cilia on their bodies serve two main functions:
• Locomotion
• Food capture

Reproduction

• Two types of reproduction:
1. Asexual: Binary fission
2. Sexual: Conjugation

Life Cycle of Paramecium

Freshwater Species

• Commonly cultured species:
• Paramecium
• Stylonychia

Paramecium

• A unicellular protist in the phylum Ciliophora.
• Size: 0.33  mm in length.
• Covered with cilia used for:
• Locomotion
• Feeding
• Commonly referred to as the "slipper animalcule" due to its shape.

Stylonychia

• A genus of ciliates in the subclass Hypotrichia.
• Found in:
• Freshwater
• Soil
• Characterized by:
• Cilia grouped into membranelles near the mouth
• Long cirri at the posterior

Marine Infusoria

Requirements for Infusoria Culture

1. Medium to large jar
2. Enough aquarium water to fill the jar halfway
3. Light source (e.g., window or desk lamp)
4. Small piece of decaying vegetation (e.g., potato peel, celery)
5. Aeration stone & air pump (recommended)
6. Thermometer

Culture of Infusoria

Banana Peeling Method

• Place banana peelings in a jar with about 50 liters of water.
• Cover with cloth to allow air but prevent insects.
• Keep in a cool place with natural air.
• In 1-2days, water becomes milky and foul-smelling due to bacteria.
• After 4-5 days, water clears and becomes light yellow as Infusoria multiply.
• Harvest when peak density is reached; can sustain for 2-3 weeks with milk added.

Hay Infusion Method

• Pour boiling water over dry hay in a pan.
• Transfer hay water to a jar or aquarium and follow the banana peeling method.

Lettuce Leaves Method

• Use lettuce leaves instead of hay and follow the same process as the banana peeling method.

Milk and Milk Products Method

• Add a teaspoon of milk or two pinches of milk powder to the culture tank and follow the same process.

Apple Snail Method

• Keep an apple snail in the aquarium and feed it with lettuce or hydrilla.
• The snail's droppings will help create a large population of Infusoria when added to the water.

Continuous Supply of Infusoria

• Maintain Infusoria in batch culture for a continuous supply.