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Database Central
Wastewater Organisms Database
Phylum Rotifera--Rotifers
Purpose of Web Page
The purpose of this web page is to present the physical characteristics of rotifers. Rotifera (rota=wheel, -fera=those that bear) range in size from 40 µm to 3 mm but most are between 100-500 µm. There are three orders (or classes) of rotifers and they include: the Seisonacea-epizoic marine rotifers, the Bdelloidea-swimming, or creeping rotifer with two germovitellaria (germovitellaria are combined ovaries and yolk glands), and the Monogononta-swimming or sessile forms with single germovitellaria. The Bdelloidea are also known as Digononta. The body of the rotifer consists of three parts, the head that bears a ciliated corona, a trunk, and a posterior tail or foot. Many species of rotifers are able to withstand long dry periods.
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This particular rotifer has bits of alga in its digestive system. The type of environment and food will determine the type of rotifer found in each particular wastewater system. Some rotifers will feed on alga or phytoplankton while others will feed on detritus or bacteria. |
This is aphotomicrograph of Philodina. Philodina is perhaps one of the best known rotifers. Phylodina has a telescoping tail or foot. The foot is an attachment organ and contains pedal glands that secrete adhesive material used by both sessile and creeping forms. |
This is a photo of a photo of a rotifer taken at a magnification of 400x with a phase contrast microscope. Notice the long tail as well as the posterior spines. The cilia can be seen sticking out of the buccal region.
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Date Page Last Revised: 20 January 2000
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