On our second microscopy evening we saw the most beautiful spinning algae known as Chrysophyte or golden brown algae. They group together to form golden spinning colonies that resemble flowers or stars.
They move in the most beautiful graceful way, spinning through the water, which they do through the use of flagellum or long hair like appendages. The longer flagellum moves with a flat S-shaped motion to propel the chrysophyte forward, whilst the short flagellum beats helically to allow the chrysophyte to swim in a rotating motion. It’s absolutely mesmerising to watch!
They are also ‘mixotrophs’- using both photosynthesis & eating other organisms to suit their energy requirements.