Mysterious behavior of Bacillaria

Bacillaria is a colony in which numerous individual diatoms are connected. The individual diatoms are lined up side by side, which looks like a window blind when the colony is contracted. When the colony stretches out, the diatoms are connected nearly end to end in a long chain-like structure. Bacillaria usually moves in a straight line when extended, but can change directions freely when contracted. Various small diatoms, aggregates and crystals are stuck to Bacillaria and move along with it.

Commentary by Prof. Yuji Tsukii, Hosei University
This organism is definitely a type of Bacillaria, possibly Bacillaria paxillifer.

http://protist.i.hosei.ac.jp/PDB/Im.....

Sampling Date : 02 July 2009

Sampling Site : Hirose River A  Google Map