Ploesoma hudsoni; lateral view. This species is characterised by a mid-ventral annulated foot with two large toes (see image below) and a foam like soft integument which is in contrast to the more rigid lorica of other Pleoesoma-species like Ploesoma triacanthum.. (2)
Ploesoma hudsoni; lateral view, focus plane on the long foot with two toes. Although P. hudsoni is mostly reported from warm waters this specimen was found at a water temperature of 8 degrees Celsius (2)
Ploesoma hudsoni; dorsoventral view, the arrows point to the characteristic finger-like palps. Species with red eyespot. (4).
Ploesoma hudsoni; lateral view, focal plane on one of the finger-like palpar organs (arrow). (1)
Ploesoma hudsoni; dorsal view, focus plane on the net-like vesicular integument and the anterodorsal triangular plate. (3)
Ploesoma hudsoni; dorsal view, detail of the anterodorsal triangular plate. The dorsal antenna (DA) protrodes through a hole in this plate. E: eyespot; yellow spot: part of the retrocerebral organ (RCO). Left: specimen from (3); right: specimen from (4)
Ploesoma hudsoni; part of the intestinal system, dorsoventral view, (right: mastax with trophi (also the red eyespot is visible); upper left part: stomach with remnants of 3 rotifers. The encircled area shows the eyespots and trophi of Pompholyx sulcata (abundant in the sampe) specimen from; the arrowhead point to the trophi of Keratella cochlearis and the arrow points to another unidentified rotifer. (6)
Ploesoma hudsoni; the arrowheads mark part of the foam-like vesicular epidemal strucure that covers the trunk of this species. Also visible in the yellowish stomach liquid are the remnants of a Trichocerca roitifer. (6)
Ploesoma hudsoni; slightly compressed specimen, annulated foot with footglands and two large equal toes. Also visible is the foam-like integument.
Ploesoma hudsoni; 3 images of the finger-like palps. Because P. hudsoni is a predator of other plankton rotifers these palps may help to catch the prey.
