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| Common in the shallower, west fringes of the wetland, I hadn’t encountered more than N. amazonum and N. pulchella prior to this year at Palo Verde. There are at least four other lily species I’m missing that have been documented in the Tempisque basin according to Crow. |  |
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This ostracod (seed shrimp) was stuck swimming in a pool formed atop a water lily. In general, they appear quite abundant, and this particular species/group are relatively large. That said, in the photograph to the left, there is a plant called Wolfiella next to the ostracod that is one of the smallest ‘macrophytes’ out here. In the other two photos you can see the legs or antenna the animal uses to propel itself.
I’ve collected many and may be able to say more about them in the future. |
I encounter leeches commonly in the wetland, particularly associated with decomposing macrophytes. I’ve never seen one attached to me, sucking blood, so I think they aren’t out for blood. Bernald has requested I catch a few, although this one got away after the second photograph…
