This Microbe is a Living Gem Stone

Surirella, Pinnularia and Cymbella are beautifully sounding names for creatures so strange and elegant it is hard to believe they actually really exist. These creatures are Diatoms! Diatoms are covered in a layer of hardened silicon dioxide. You might say they live in a glass cage. The material their shells are made if is closer to opal. Diatoms are essentially living gem stones! These microbes are carbon based, of course, but they are the closest creature in existence to silicon based life.
Micro Footage shot with Nikon Z9 on Olympus BX53 Microscope.
Used Contrast Methods: DIC, Darkfield
Water Drop Footage shot on Fuji XH2S.
All footage shot by Benedikt Pleyer (Nomadic Nostoc)
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[@fidalf99]

Amazing video as always! Diatoms in general are GOAT (in zoomer terms). I had no idea they used such a bizarre and cool method for moving around. I thought they use parapodia or cilia invisible to the standart microscope, but i gotta say, this is next level nature 'wizardry', at least from human perspective.

[@Honey_Daddy]

Yet again, another absolutely magnificent video. So these are the little fellas that are fossilized in diatomaceous earth, I take it. Fascinating! Thanks for sharing yet another amazing video. Your work continues to blow my mind.

[@kruttikanaik1281]

Such amazing content.. needs advertisement

[@Trylobyte]

Speeded up film does not do them justice -their majestic gliding is for me part of their beauty. But there is a small section of real time video or something close to it and some lovely images. Lots of good info too.

[@borisgrejcha7263]

what does the eh shell consist of?

[@nonsequiturm]

A layer of hardened silicon dioxide.
I too didn't hear him mention it in the video but he does mention it in the description.

[@funkypunkypine]

Just so incredibly beautiful and fascinating. I can't pick a favorite. I do love how they have oil pouches!

[@ScumfuckMcDoucheface]

I love your work so, so much my friend. Thank you so much for sharing this all with us. =)