Naupliar Stage Cyclopoida

This microscopic animal goes through 11 instars before maturity. This is the N3 stage of the first 6 stages called Naupliar. He looks like a spider here, except that you can't see the other 6 legs, which are directly below the top 6.

Once he changes from the N6 stage, into the first of the Copopodite stages, he will look like an entirely different animal. I sometimes wonder how the heck the fist scientists put this life cycle together. It's not like you can see these guys with the naked eye.

To further add to the mystery of life, this little jewel has no heart, no circulatory system and no blood. But that's just the beginning. Found in microscopic records saved in Amber, this species did have a heart, circulatory system, blood and gills, but decide they weren't worth the effort and got rid of them.

He does have one big red eye though.

1. Using a 20x objective for about 200x.

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Mitch,

Truly amazing and fascinating shots. (I wish the i was not next to the o on the keyboard).

great work.

Thanks Bas. You have to put your fingers on a diet. Mine are so fat they hit two keys 3 times out of 4. LOL