We spent Wednesday afternoon sampling some ponds around Cambridge, looking for Volvox and related algae. Dr. Hisayoshi Nozaki, whose lab has described a substantial proportion of the known species, led the effort, but somehow we failed to locate our quarry.
Thomas Pröschold checking an algae-filled pond.
Shota Yamashita trolling with a plankton net.
Stephanie Höhn taking a sample.
Field microscope…need to get one of those!
It would be better to look for Volvox in temporary pools, which exist more than 10–12 days (especially those surrounded by green grass).