2020 Small World in Motion Competition

Nematode

Rogelio Moreno

Location
Panama, Panama
Technique
Polarized Light
Magnification
10X (Objective Lens Magnification)

Mr. Moreno’s main line of work is as a computer systems engineer, but he has been taking micrographs and micrograph movies since 2009. In 2020, he placed in the winners circle an amazing 3 times, with 2 movies and one still image, bringing his winning Small World image library up to 18 times since 2012! This stunning example of a nematode using polarized lighting is a fine example of Rogelio’s outstanding abilities in microscopy, beautifully showcasing the animal’s movements. Polarized light combined with a lambda plate help to create beautiful color changes as the creature moves about on its journey.

A marine tardigrade (Batillipes lusitanus)

Rafael Martín-Ledo

Affiliation
IES Leonardo Torres Quevedo
Santander, Cantabria, Spain
Technique
Phase Contrast
Magnification
20X (Objective Lens Magnification)

This image of a tardigrade displaying complex behavior is one of two winning images by Mr. Martin-Ledo in this year’s competition. It is very rare to see complex behavior in microscopic organisms but in this movie, it certainly appears to be the case. A tardigrade is typically known for slow, clumsy and erratic movement, however in this rare instance, specific locomotion is observed whereby the creature is propelling itself in forward motion as it moves around the slide exploring its surroundings. Mr. Martin Ledo, a high school biology teacher uses these amazing images to teach young people about the wonders of the unseen world all around us.

Ciliate (Frontonia)

Rogelio Moreno

Location
Panama, Panama
Technique
Differential Interference Contrast
Magnification
20X (Objective Lens Magnification)