This is it next to a rotifer.
I'm almost done with a microbes /w music video and I just cannot find any leads on this fella. I'm not so versed in microscopy though. I found this guy in a stream. I got a good amount of soil and moss in the sample. There also happens to be an invasive snail population in that stream called a mud snail.
I could try to upload a video somewhere of it if any of y'all think that would help.
The feet look really tiny, too tiny to be a water bear? The body is segmented and it looks like a digestive tube, which are all pro water bear signs.
What a mysterious little friend
https://www.pcwracolorado.org/water-bears-tardigrade
Yeah the feet don't move like a water bear. I see the resemblance from the top down angles. I'm starting to lean towards it being a larvae of some kind.
This is a picture of a midge fly larvae:
My guy definitely isn't that, but it has the segmented body and foot at the back. So maybe mystery dude is some other insect larvae?
Oh god midge fly larvae are so gross lol.
Sorry I couldn't help but thanks for sharing your images!
Awe I think they are cute! They have little 'hands' near their head. My YouTube profile picture is a midge fly larvae:
https://youtube.com/@parkersmicrobes
You can't tell me that that little guy doesn't tug on your heart strings.
They are so much more gross in bright field
Ah yeah I see that lol. That's a really nice photo even though it is gross. It has great detail.