This Extremely Rare Ciliate Has Only Been Seen Four Times

[@journeytomicro]

We've restocked our microscopes at microcosmos.store/ and we now have a model with plan achromatic objectives. And if you’ve previously purchased a Microcosmos Microscope and would like to upgrade your objectives from achromatic to plan achromatic, we also have a 4 pack of plan objectives for sale!

[@RNG-999]

James got this rare sighting done in 4K/60FPS. I think that's a first. I am astonished. One for the books :D

[@caiden-_-]

Are there any good books with most species of macroscopic organisms and images and descriptions of each of them?

[@thaphreak]

"Science is done to subside the mind's curiosity, not to incite discord in one's rather short lifespan." This is quotable, very much so, is this James's or Hank's?

[@ArawnOfAnnwn]

@@thaphreak It's from the paper, so it comes from James Weiss

[@wik7or214]

Since im Polish, im ofc wandering What's James doing in Warsaw? he does his studies there, so he lives there, or was it temporary specifically related to searching for this species?

[@LightFykki]

Simply amazing. Not only that it is so rare, but it also looks quite peculiar. Like a small single-celled squids

[@LimeyLassen]

This is the first protist I would describe as cute

[@dianahowell3423]

I used to think Rodney the Rotifer was adorable - this guy looks like a microscopic space capsule and yes, cute. Congrats to James and many more discoveries in the future!

[@JamsGerms]

@@dianahowell3423 thank youuuuu! ❤

[@anamaiorca1335]

real

[@angelalewis3645]

I thought if squids, too!

[@augustinroche7033]

Interesting fact: Emmanuel Fauré-Frémiet, who first discovered the species, is the son of Gabriel Fauré, the well-known French composer. The etymology of the genus Legendrea is possibly René Legendre (1880-1954), a fellow member of the French zoological society.

[@JamsGerms]

Amazing! Thank you for the extra information!

[@pattheplanter]

Mademoiselle Marie Loyez was another author of microscopic studies at the time.

[@genovevaesteban9016]

We did know about René Legendre but we cannot be sure if that’s the reason behind the name, so we couldn’t include it in the paper. Thank you for the explanations anyway. I love Gabriel Fauré’s music!

[@genovevaesteban9016]

@@pattheplanter I had no idea about this and it might be perfectly possible. Pity we cannot know more.

[@Neon-ws8er]

@@JamsGerms congrats!

[@RNG-999]

So let me say. This has only been seen FOUR times? And James got this IN 4K60FPS?!?!

[@defies4626]

he is now a microbial legendrea

[@tyrlant2189]

Nope, you are mistaken

[@JamsGerms]

😊

[@EroxFifthElement]

5 all together

[@Stierenkloot]

Documented and published. Not seen. Very very very very very very very different.

[@TeaDrinkingGuy]

Huge congratulations to James on publishing his paper! A true Master of Microscopes!

[@JamsGerms]

Thank you! ❤

[@kristimcgowandarkoscellard3126]

Isn’t it amazing how such a tiny little thing can create such huge excitement in the mind of the human being who discovers it?!? Congratulations James on your discovery! Cheers

[@JamsGerms]

Thank you so much! ❤

[@JamsGerms]

Also, I’ll be answering to your questions, please feel free to ask me. :) -James

[@sknoy7792]

Can I collect good samples in the Skaryszewski Park in winter?

[@osmia]

Are the original ones you found still alive?

[@jamesweiss6745]

@@sknoy7792 Yes! I just broke the ice on the small pond there, you can access it easily before it freezes again! :D

[@jamesweiss6745]

@@osmia Ohh no, they are all gone! :(

[@osmia]

@@jamesweiss6745 Such is life.

[@PeachysMom]

Hank has the perfect narrator voice. It’s so pleasant and precise at the same time. Relaxing.

[@Stierenkloot]

His sci show voice is super annoying though

[@VeriVeronika]

@@Stierenkloot brutal! Lol i believe his sci show voice is his "OOOH SCIENCE!!! 🤠" voice and this is his "ah, science 😌" voice.

[@Stierenkloot]

@@VeriVeronika well put

[@CL-go2ji]

@@Stierenkloot Many, many SciShow subscribers disagree with you.

[@vezokpiraka]

This is like a legendary pokemon sighting, but James is so amazing that he filmed a full length movie for us. Here's to more awesome discoveries.

[@sarahng5191]

That is so cool, congratulations James for this discovery!! Admire your dedication to observing these tiny guys

[@JamsGerms]

Thank you! 😊

[@zuzannamichalska13]

Wow wow wow 😀, congratulations to James for discovering this. And the quote at the end was amazing

[@sarahchristine2345]

Right! I’ve never thought about it that ways and it actually freaked me out a bit 😂 We took the little critters hostage and hijacked their dna 😭 🤔😮😨

[@Beryllahawk]

Well done James!!!!! So very glad for you to have completed this first paper - may it be one of many and may your dedication always bring you wonder and happiness as well as recognition in the field! Great big hugs too!

[@warehouselead]

Just found your channel. Also, just added another branch of science that I am enthralled by! Thanks for posting all this great knowledge!

[@meganberk6072]

It is pretty amazing to me that simply living his life doing the things he loves, James has probably become the greatest expert on this rare creature. Simply because he loves this means he is able to find more.

[@aleksanderlenartowicz5659]

I dont remember when I subscribed. It feels like a long time. I distinctly remember the "rivers inside us" quote from you. I absolutely adore the poetic nature of your commentary, the quality of videos, the fact that James lives in Warsaw and the fact I subscribed to your channel. The news about the paper excite me, I feel really proud to have been accompanying you on this Journey. Congratulations and thank you.

[@stevenkarnisky411]

Congratulations and well done, James! May this be the first of many discoveries!

[@Lemard77]

Oh wow! This is going to sound crazy but I think I have found this one too! At least if our identification was accurate. This was during a course I took in the first half of 2019, Comparative Biology of Protists, at the University of Buenos Aires. We took samples from a nearby natural reserve next to the Río de La Plata estuary, one of the samples being from a shallow stagnant freshwater pond, below the tree canopy , without much access to sunlight and if i'm not mistaken rather high conductivity values (930 μS/cm). And in that sample we found this very cool looking ciliate, it was like nothing we ever saw before, with terminal tentacles and a big vacuole near their base. We asked our teacher in charge of the lab class, a cilliate taxonomist, what was it, but she couldn't recognise it. This was remarkable as she would always quickly identify anything we showed to her. We had to bring up an old German book on protist diversity and we eventually settled in that it would be a Legendrea sp. as it matched the drawings the closest. We knew it was rare but not to this level! I got a photo of it. Is there a way to contact James to share him the photo and see if he can confirm our finding? would be awesome if it was one of them the one we got to see.

[@JamsGerms]

That’s wonderful!!! Can you send me the photo on Instagram please?

[@vaizluca]

@JourneytotheMicrocosmos please see above comment!! @superetendard you can probably find an email or something if you look up the paper!

[@Lemard77]

@@vaizluca James also runs Jam's Germs, I haven't sent it yet but going to do soon 🙂

[@javrich]

OK this has piqued my interest! Did you send the photo? Did James confirm it was Legendrea? D=

[@tiffanyfeng5192]

Commenting to stay updated :D

[@SageSylvie]

Imagine finding an organism, randomly naming it "legend", then it turns out to actually be super rare. Now that's cool.

[@ampPLrant]

Let us take a moment to appreciate the barb in that final sentence from the paper. It is inspirational; it's also a pretty direct criticism of the way academic research works in the modern world of grants and grant based hiring and tenure decisions.

[@davidclark7090]

I straight teared up at the end. Thank you Hank and everyone who make this channel happen.

[@SuperBrieBear]

Searching for the whimsical in the real world has never been easier then following this channel. I am awed and inspired.

[@D-me-dream-smp]

How exciting - thank you for allowing us to share in this wonderful discovery with you. As always such a magnificent presentation offset with perfect narration and finished with wise words.

[@TheTechAdmin]

I think by next Summer, you'll have a million subscribers; can't wait. You guys deserve it! Any time the topic of the universe and it's large scale gets brought up... I enjoy pointing out ( thanks to you guys ) that the universe is actually larger if you zoom IN, rather than zoom OUT. I'll say "if you zoomed out equally as many times as you zoomed into the tip of your finger... You could continue zooming into your finger almost 25% more, than zooming out into the universe". This is usually followed by people starring at the tip of their index finger in astonishment. All thanks to you! Tare care!

[@susanlemmey4012]

I would request that you look at your comment again and either rephrase it in a way that makes more sense to a fellow viewer of this channel or add explanations and definitions. For starters, what scale are you zooming by? Linear? logarithmic? Secondly; what point are you defining as being unable to zoom in or out further? Where does this 25% come from? To my understanding the Plank length is the smallest defined length, while the ultimate size of the Universe is currently unknown and likely will forever remain unknown as so much of its total size appears to be outside of the region in which the speed of light and the age of the universe allows us to view. To be clear, I am not trying to discredit your claim, however I feel it is sorely lacking definition.

[@TheTechAdmin]

@@susanlemmey4012 the 25% comes from the total atoms of the universe; 10 to the power of 78. If you take that scale and traveled into space by that power versus traveling inward, into your finger 10 to the power of 124; it's bigger. The EASIEST way I can think to explain to you is... If you were sitting at a table and had a telescope pointing up at the stars, and a microscope focused on a leaf. And with each device, you're going to theoretically zoom in by 10x You will hit the edge of the universe, before you hit plank length. An easy way for you to confirm this is Search "How many atoms in the universe" "How big is a plank length" "How big is the universe" "What is the speed of light" Learning those 4 things, you will understand. ***However. Since we have given a theoretical limit to "smallness" I.E. Plank Length. And since the universe is continuiously expanding; the same of "zooming in being bigger than zooming out being bigger", won't be the case forever. A nifty thought however is as the universe continues to expand, it will eventually reach the identical inverse of plank length. I hope someday, someone calculates when that'll happen and humanity will celebrate "The Moment Of Universal Inverse Measurement Equivalence"

[@Breca]

@@TheTechAdmin I'm new to the channel loved this episode and your comment.....WoW.....Love it.....Wonder how long it would take my slowly expanding mind to reach plank length.

[@TheTechAdmin]

@@Breca Plank length is extremely small. Your brain is extremely big in comparison. Your brain can't *_expand_* to reach plank length; but it could *_condense_* to reach plank length

[@snakewithapen5489]

Ooh, so I think what you mean is that the atoms and subatomic particles making up your finger are, for their scale, going to take longer to totally zoom in on to the point where you can't anymore, than going outward into the universe until you cant anymore while excluding the dimensions of your finger. Things are just that small

[@zeliardforty-two4692]

Okay, don’t mind me but despite this being microscopic … it’s sort of cute in a way! Also fun hearing and seeing about such a monumental find. I haven’t been this curious about the microscopic world in a long time and this channel has lit that spark again, and all because of this curious creature! Thank you to everyone involved 😊

[@CL-go2ji]

Beautiful footage that also offers a well of information about a very little-known creature. Congratulations!

[@cantsay]

I am amazed at how well James was able to follow that little guy on the slide!!

[@alexlane7860]

Congrats on the historical discovery! Just bought a beginner microscope because of you guys. I’ll move up to a better one when I get better!

[@ogfoxhound]

Congratulations James! Both amazing accomplishments; super happy for ya. Great work from the team too as always. Another awesome video

[@stoneprevious4294]

I know nothing of micro-biology but this really inspires me to go and collect samples from my local water sources.

[@the2nd965]

Congratulations on the find. I'm happy to be on this journey with you since 2019 and have fun/find new species

[@Romeoleus]

I just found this channel on KZbin and immediately became a subscriber. A fascinating channel which I highly recommend to all with curious minds.

[@ptarmigan1356]

What an amazing episode! I‘m going to check out the paper and am super excited for the next episode too :D

[@miashadows]

That is so cool! Congratz on the paper Oh Master of Microscopes!

[@veramae4098]

Trivia: I enjoy going to a local "horse pulling" contest in a small village nearby, in the spring. The horses seem to ENJOY the challenge of pulling heavier and heavier dead loads (no wheels). And ... when they struggle, the shape of their bodies change.

[@bekkaanneee]

this is perhaps the earliest i've ever been to any video. im so excited to see this rare ciliate!

[@tributetolost]

I love this channel more than I can express. Wonderful job guys

[@godalseif]

the essence of science truly is to question the science. Dr. Feynmans many stories of him arguing with his colleagues drove this home for me long ago and gave me a genuine love for science as a particularly curious and argumentative child

[@AngryKittens]

Congrats to James on getting published!

[@TMtheScratcher]

would be really intersting if james can get more of those from his sample source, examine their reproduction and can catch it for sequencing of its genome. Would be very interesting to know from a genetic point of view to which species this organism relates to.

[@MtnNerd]

That's what I was thinking, examine their genome!

[@jamesweiss6745]

We already did that! Check the paper please. :)

[@MtnNerd]

@@jamesweiss6745 Will do, thanks

[@TMtheScratcher]

@@jamesweiss6745 Hey, yes you did examine the ribosomal RNA, sorry, look only afterwards a look. But as I understood you were only able to make limited taxonomic classification, right? Of course mutations of the ribosomes are rare (due to high selective pressure on this fundamental enzyme) and are therefore a good thing one can keep track of trough evolutionary history. However, without the complete ribosomal subunit you may can't unambigously distinguish the speciation events between close relatives, right?

[@wreybies]

No pressure, but please know that this channel is an important part of my mental health regime. Fascinating information, stunningly beautiful imagery, chill presentation. It's the best. What are the chances we can have an episode narrated by James? I would love to hear from him in his own words what brought him to this fascinating studty.

[@JamsGerms]

I’m very shy! 😅

[@wreybies]

@@JamsGerms Well, I can certainly understand shyness. And thank you for replying. It’s always a thrill making contact with those who create such wonderful content. I’m thankful that this partnership between you and Hank has proven so successful. It’s what brought your work to my attention, and I am sure the same is true for many viewers who marvel at the amazing world you share with us. I wish you profound discoveries, accolades among your peers, and that your interest remains forever keen. Best wishes.

[@smokedsalts4441]

Just so unbelievably happy for James. Truley amazing.

[@ninamiljus]

I love the James' conclusion, and - what an amazing episode!

[@eversbrooks7162]

this is totally beside the point but as a mythology buff i find it so cool that legendrea bellerophon is named for the greek hero who killed the chimera with a pole covered in a ball of hot lead-- a shape similar to the extended tentacles of the organism!

[@jennifersaar1611]

Very cool. Paleontology finds itself in a similar situation, with paleontologists realizing that what they thought were separate species are actually juveniles.

[@JaneXemylixa]

This was also the story of mosquito larvae at one point, if I'm not mistaken. A creature doesn't have to be invisible or extinct to be weird like that

[@bobbilderson8556]

Great job, James! I just got to grad school myself in biomedical engineering.... I work with gut microbes on the reg, and think this channel is beautiful.... but it feel like learning takes a back seat to random ramblings. There's SO SO SO much data about these microbes- their DNA- their structure- their communities- but yet Hank is talking about none of that. Anyways. Still love your work. Wish I could help.

[@iris_purpurea]

Amazing! 😮 And I love the quote at the end. James and all of you are truly incredible to find and share with us this beautiful world.

[@N30K4L]

That end quote actually gave me chills. Well said!

[@TheBullethead]

Congrats to James on his nearly unique spotting and the publishing of scientific paper. I hope peer review is kind.

[@frogz]

WOW, congratulations @JamsGerms thanks for bringing us all with you on this journey

[@joette5333]

GOOD FOR YOU JAMES !!!!!!!!!

[@benjaminwagner4702]

Love this show so much. Thank you so much for sharing this.

[@ionlyspeakmeme1810]

It's honestly really beautiful. Especially how it moves and twirls around.

[@tedalexander6592]

Congratulations James on publishing your paper and on your unique findings! I look forward to hearing more about this micro organism and if the name change occurs due to your findings! Again congratulations!!

[@russelljohnson6243]

I absolutely LOVE your channel, thank you!

[@allisonrich5061]

These guys are adorable. Well done, James, for finding a unicorn and for your paper as well.

[@omalga]

That’s amazing how Mr James was able to find this rare organism. I’m truly amazed by this story. Greetings from Poland ❤

[@stephanieparker1250]

Science, amazing footage, Hanks soothing voice… the best way to wind down from my day. ❤🎉

[@jeffclarke5497]

OK. I come from an astronomy/physics background, but did my share of bio as an interested primary/high school kid. I am officially blown away. Just ordered my microscope and camera adapter. Simply blown away. Thankyou for sharing these efforts and visions. Cheers!

[@TheSonOfDumb]

Congratulations James! You have just made a big scientific contribution

[@Microscopyenthusiast]

Nice discoveries! Go James!!! 👍😀👍

[@JamsGerms]

Thank you!!

[@Lenape_Lady]

It’s actually kinda beautiful. Like a blue microscopic squid swimming thru the sea. The bumps on the end of their stalks/tentacles remind me of the tiny drops of dew found on the hairs of the carnivorous sundew plant.

[@stephanieparker1250]

Way to go, James!! Well done! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@terrynewberg5732]

Wow, James, that must have been so exhilarating, seeing it on your slide. Bravo on publishing your findings.

[@bhagad]

I was reading the paper and it said he hand picked the cell for DNA extraction. How do you hand pick a single cell??? He then washed it with mineral water several times. How do you do that without accidentally losing the super rare cell??? What tools do you need to do this? I'm just flat out amazed.

[@AtarGG]

Thank you so much for making this channel what it is. I find this incredibly fascinating and soul soothing. Started watching an episode or two before bed, honestly best sleep in a long time. Something about a relaxed but still passionate Hank. 😌

[@CChissel]

Incredible! James should be extremely proud, as I’m sure he is. What an awesome discovery, well done!

[@Oracle842]

🦋 Thank you for sharing your works, I enjoyed every part of microscopic research. 🦋

[@051adam]

A beautiful and mysterious specimen!! Can't wait to see and hear more!

[@ABathRobeSamurai]

I'm looking to get your microscope from the store, ill dive in for all the bells and extras because the thought of looking at these little things in real time made me incredibly happy. is the microscope in your store the same one used to make the videos? thanks for the correspondence. and thank you for your videos.

[@LakelandRussell]

Always feel more relaxed and happier after watching one of your videos.

[@michaelkukula5926]

Do you accept water samples? I have a tiny bit from a recent trip to the Sea of Galilee :-)

[@14thCenturyHare]

My first thought was microscopic cephalopods... I've not been this excited about microscopic things since I was a Veterinarian Technician and in Zoology class.

[@jurjenbos228]

Definitely cute enough to use as a low maintenance pet.

[@kaiwainsect]

Really amazing thing is that "Legendrea" sound like "legend-rare" and this species is actually true. (Sorry for my poor English)

[@danielhagen3739]

Oh boy, a new microcosmos episode!!

[@midsummerKNlGHT]

12 minutes after i decide to watch your entire catalogue, i get a new upload ^^ keep being you wont you

[@kenryoshi]

It's so cool seeing science put the puzzle together. First the eels now this. How many other things are the same organism just in different transitional forms

[@billlumberg5746]

So fascinating great observations James good stuff JtMC.

[@siadcastillo7239]

I sobbed like a baby. The dedication is remarkable.

[@garrettbates2639]

Its movement is so mesmerizing. Wonderful video.

[@ScaryDayDreams]

This is just too cool. I remember finding you guys around your second video and I fell in love with your content! Ive watched every video since and Im so happy to see how well you all have done. I work as an aquarium technician and this has actually helped me understand the environment Im building. Im planning on buying a microscope soon to look at the cultures Ive seeded in the aquaria. Seriously, all of you are doing good work and it does not go unappreciated. Love you guys, thank you so much for your devotion and love for the microcosms. Extra special thank you to Jam!!!

[@wyattpolasek9563]

Congratulations on the paper!!

[@lol_me8127]

Congratulations!!! This is a super cool find !

[@-Slinger-]

Congratulations James!

[@corbechupacabra]

This is super exciting! Congrats!

[@suburbohemian]

"Mythical Creatures of the Microcosmos" deserves to be a book title, for sure.

[@kaltkalt2083]

I really don’t understand how these little things, so many of them, can ever be identified so precisely just by looking at them. I’d think a DNA sample would be needed.

[@BlckMrket]

Crazy to think that the chances someone is looking at us in the same form under some microscope or perhaps macroscope or would it be micro to them too since they’d be bigger. Rabbit hole thought.

[@BallisticDamages]

Congratulations to James on his observations!

[@jonathanlallo4920]

Congrats James!

[@ulalaFrugilega]

I was in absolute awe of James, but his quote totally put him next to Albert Einstein in my pantheon of people to be happy about.

[@wglenbatemanjr9729]

The Journey has subsided some curiosity. And also created more! I ditched my attachment to driving and only bike since age 55 cataractS and only one eye's implant monocular surgery. .Yeah, with human & vehicle density it's pretty hard toj observe the last of Pinellas County's dwindling biodiversity from the road, and NO, our expedited watershed needs no more impermeable roads! mnd only bike a 1970 Fuji. I will be sampling wet, living soils.. I carry a 60x-75x lighted pocket microscope in a tool, spare tube and 1st aid/ general fastener collection....I've loose screws 🙄😁, baggies, bulbed pipettes, capped vials and a kitchen sink. Less insects/bee's knees, On to aquatic and esruarine single cell scopes, or 96 cell(Tardigrade cell ct.?)....✌️ Thank you James, Hank and all whom helped.

[@RobertB168]

That's really interesting. I tend to chuck samples after a few days as the diversity of organisms declines, but maybe I'm chucking them too fast!

[@himabimdimwim]

This is such a cool channel, I love it!

[@professord1522]

THANKS for an excellent video!

[@WAMTAT]

Well done James.

[@rickuslastname6305]

Very well done! Congratulations 🎉

[@harryf9885]

I feel that Legendrea is a very appropriate name for such a rare or “legendary” microbe, something that only a handful of people will ever see with their own eyes, or rather their own eye, peering through a microscope. It’s funny because of course it’s a total coincidence, when a scientist discovers a new microbe, especially in 1903, they have no way of knowing how rare it will be.

[@brendakrieger7000]

Congrats James🥳

[@MisterTalkingMachine]

Woooow congratulations on the paper!