"Wheel animals" - On Rotifers.
T he Phylum Rotifera or wheel animals are funny yet cute looking little microorganism. They are about 200-500 micrometers long and are generally found in moist soil, still waters or free flowing waters. They are detritivores and feed on bacteria, algae and decaying protozoans. They might be small but don't underestimate them! They have a well developed digestive system, reproductive system and even a nervous system consisting of a brain! Due to this they are considered as animals. One of their most unique characteristic is the crown of rotating cilia or the ' corona '. Lets learn a bit more on the digestive system of rotifers! The digestive system of rotifers consists of many complex organs some of them being the stomach and mouth! Lets go one by one! 1) Corona - The corona or the crown of the mouth is lined with cilia(hair like structures) as you have seen in the video.(Taken by me:)) The cilia vibrate and create a vortex of water that attracts food in its mou