Protists - Living Material

This organism is easily recognized by its trumpet-shape and blue coloration. It is quite large (approx. 2 mm) and is a good option for students that are just starting to look at the microscopic world.

This organism is easily recognized by its trumpet-shape, and can commonly be found in freshwater ponds and streams. It reproduces by budding.

Spirogyra is a genus of filamentous green algae with chloroplasts arranged in a helical (spiral) pattern.

Ward's® Live Diatom cultures

Specially Prepared 'Real-Life' Combinations

Pink to bright rose color.
Characterized by cilia; nearly all possess two types of nuclei.

Paramecium multimicronucleatumis one of the largest species of Paramecium. This ciliate contains a single macronucleus and four or more micronuclei. Grows in Dilute Alfalfa medium (Hay Medium).

A very large Protozoa that graphically demonstrates the basic animal cell.

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 Protozoans" 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.

Our cultures undergo strict biochemical screening and are unconditionally guaranteed for species and purity. Each culture is labeled with scientific name, media on which it was cultivated and optimum growth temperature. Although our cultures are considered non-pathogenic, standard bacteriological laboratory procedures should be used at all times. Cultures are available either live for immediate use or freeze-dried for convenient storage until needed. (Please note: We are not responsible for any infection resulting from the use of our cultures.)

One jar containing a mixture of 6 different genera of algae. Each algae is cultured individually in Ward's laboratories, and mixed together immediately prior to shipment to ensure an adequate supply of each organism.

Extremely small euglenoid. Usually doesn’t rotate when swimming. Scavenger. Hay medium.

Characterized by flagella; lacks plastids.

Hay medium. Characterized by cilia; nearly all possess two types of nuclei.

Characterized by a lack of rigid cellulosic walls, instead these organisms have pellicles made of protein. They store paramylon instead of starch.

Organisms with Characteristics of Two Kingdoms

Water mold and fish parasite. Demonstrates sporangia and oospores. Grows on wheat seed, cucumber seed, or hemp seed in water environment. Reproduces sexually and asexually. Incubation temperature 25°C.

Cell walls made of cellulose; feeds by extending hyphae into host's tissue.

Specially Prepared “Real-Life” Combinations
The world is teeming with a wide variety of microlife, making studying samples of pond water complicated especially for the beginning student. To lessen the confusion, WARD’S has prepared different culture mixes that reflect protist combinations that occur in the real world, yet eliminates the hundreds of other life-forms found in a collected sample. Comes with a dichotomous key and either the Working with Algae or the Working with Protozoa manual. Supplied in a single jar.

Contents: Amphidinium, Coccolithophora, Dunaliella, Ectocarpus, and Prorocentrum.

Examples of Organisms That Grow in Colonies