Live Specimens
Live specimens are used for a wide variety of studies including studying the physiological effects of drugs on a specimen’s heartbeat and temperature on metabolism, the locomotion of microscopic organisms, and studying plant respiration, photosynthesis, plosmolysis, and more. Algal cultures form colonies of cells that are extremely easy to visualize for better understanding of cell walls and plastids, and many live specimens reproduce rapidly for quick turnover between successive tests.
Dictyostelium discoideum, Tube Culture
Cellular slime mold. Demonstrates amoeboid state, pseudoplasmodial state, and fruiting body, or sorocarp.
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Live Sordaria fimicola Cultures
Use Sordaria fimicola to allow students to visualize the results of crossing over during cell division.
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Ward's® Live Terrestrial Hermit Crab (Cenobita sp.)
The nocturnal hermit crab uses “borrowed” shells to protect its relatively soft body, changing shells as it grows larger.
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Ward's® Live Amphipods
Mixed genera. Also known as scuds, amphipods are freshwater crustaceans.
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Synedra
Freshwater, Unicellular; pennate, with bilateral symmetry. Diatom or basic medium.
Characterized by shells (tests) made of silica, in two parts.
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Synura
Freshwater; elongated, biflagellate cells that form globular colonies; gelatinous sheath absent.
Live Cultures are supplied with media in 16 x 125 mm tubes, 2 oz. jars, or 8 oz. jars. Fast delivery is available directly from our laboratory. Please specify a delivery date.
Each culture shipment is prepared in our laboratories and includes the "Working with Algae & Cyanobacteria" manual which contains detailed instructions for subculturing and use.
Canadian Customers:
CFIA and PHAC regulations require customers to submit a completed inspection checklist and signed statement of facilities compliance before receiving certain cultures. A customer service representative will contact you if documentation is required.
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Ward's® Live Amphidinium Culture
Marine; Small Motile Cells with the Transverse Furrow Located Near the Apex.
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Ward's® Peridinium
Freshwater. Unicellular. Soil-water medium. Characterized by two flagella (one inside a groove at right angles to the other); most also have tests made of cellulose and are encrusted with silica.
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Ward's® Live Arcella Culture
Usually found in freshwater and mosses, this organism has a hard umbrella shaped shell or "test", out of which finger-like pseudopodia project.
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Difflugia
Test cylindrical, covered with sand granules. Soil-water medium.
Characterized by pseudopods; with or without a shell (test).
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Colpidium
Hay medium. Characterized by cilia; nearly all possess two types of nuclei.
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Live Amoeba proteus cultures
Demonstrate amoeba structure, locomotion, and feeding behavior.
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Ward's® Live Chaos (Pelomyxa sp.) Culture
Members of the Pelomyxa genus look very much like Amoeba. Pelomyxa, however, have many nuclei, whereas Amoeba have only one.
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Ward's® Live Paramecium caudatum Culture
Paramecium caudatum is a common protist that inhabits a variety of aquatic ecosystems.
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Ward’s® Live Black Planaria (Phagocata gracilis)
Black Planaria are a flatworm commonly used in science fair projects. They do not bite and move very slowly, making them easy for young students to observe.
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Ward's® Philodina
Philodina sp. Easy to culture and easy to examine under a microscope because of the lack of a lorica (shell), these typical rotifers are perfect for general study. Culture instructions are included.




