14 replies to this topic

[drtrmiller]

I've heard mentions of a red or pink bacteria that develops in test tubes or on decaying foods.

 

Recently, I placed some food in a foraging area that is kept damp to support a limited microbiome of springtails and detritivorous mites.

 

The food was physically unchanged for several days, and either the ants or springtails chewed off a piece that was separated from the bulk of it.  After a few days, very large, translucent-colored mites appeared on the food.  Shortly after this, a red film began covering the food, and quickly covered it entirely.

 

 

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the mites and springtails stopped feeding from the food once it was consumed with the red organisms.  Apparently, the mites and springtails continue to eat the food, primarily from the underside, which appears less contaminated than the top.  Perhaps the organism is highly aerobic, which would rule out fungus?

 

I propose that it may be possible that mites, and even possibly ants and other higher organisms, are opportunistic carriers of this unidentified, red microorganism, which doesn't appear to harm the host, but is expelled/regurgitated onto foods the host is eating through saliva or other mouthparts.  The host may only be harmed if it is within close and confined contact to the contaminated food or water source, such as a test tube.  The organism appears to require or prefer a damp and humid environment to reproduce most quickly.

 

If anyone has any additional observations regarding red or pink bacteria, please post them herein this thread.

 

I'm in the process of uploading a video that shows the various organisms living on this one piece of food.

Edited by drtrmiller, February 28 2015 - 7:18 PM.

[dspdrew]

That almost looks like a slime mold.

[Miles]

That almost looks like a slime mold.

That's exactly what I am thinking.

[drtrmiller]

In this instance, it is not very helpful to play guessing games about what it may be, based on one photo.  

 

If you have personal observations wherein you can describe the appearance of, or conditions in which the red or pink organism appeared, those would be the most helpful.

[Gregory2455]

Looks a lot like this.

[drtrmiller]

I'd say it's exactly the same. What can you tell me about that photograph?

[drtrmiller]

This is the underside of the food on which the organism is growing predominantly on top.  

 

The bottom was teeming with springtails and the mites.  Most of the springtails hopped away when disturbed.

 

The mites, as you can see, are somewhat pink.  It is unclear if they are the source of the red organism, are capable of spreading it, or are simply pink from having eaten it.

 

Edited by drtrmiller, February 28 2015 - 9:53 PM.

[drtrmiller]

This is kind of crazy, but I just practically stole a $240 book on mites, and will have it on Tuesday or Wednesday.  

 

I'm almost certain the seller meant to sell it for $40, and not $4...

 

Edited by drtrmiller, February 28 2015 - 10:41 PM.

[AntGuySA]

Hi DrtrMiller

 

Wow you are lucky bud take it as a sign you were suppose to have that book and share the wonderful information it contains, I mainly suffer from the yellow mold/fungus that covers the old food.

 

Regards, AntGuySA

Edited by AntGuySA, February 28 2015 - 11:33 PM.

[Gregory2455]

I'd say it's exactly the same. What can you tell me about that photograph?

It just appeared on that substrate for my failed Acromyrmex queen's fungus. A month or so after that, this happened:

 

One of my Myrmecocystus mexicanus queen's eggs turned pink as well...

This is kind of crazy, but I just practically stole a $240 book on mites, and will have it on Tuesday or Wednesday.  

 

I'm almost certain the seller meant to sell it for $40, and not $4...

 

Are there multiple ones for sale? That would be an interesting read...

[drtrmiller]

No, I got the only $4 one.  The next cheapest used copy is over $40!

 

I remember seeing your photos, but couldn't locate them, which is why I created this thread.

 

What happened to the queen with the pink eggs?  Also, what was the type and source of foods or other materials were introduced to both of the tubes or enclosures that became contaminated?

Edited by drtrmiller, March 1 2015 - 1:13 AM.

[Gregory2455]

I moved the queen into a new test tube altogether, away from the pink eggs. The contaminated food was originally Chiclid Pellets, which the Acromyrmex seemed to like.

[drtrmiller]

Update:

 

After a few days, the entire piece of food was decomposed by the mites, springtails, and other microorganisms.

 

I still do not know what the red organism is, or even to what kingdom it belongs.

[Ra3MaN]

There are bacteria everywhere, and by the looks of it your food is almost like a piece of agar that one would use to culture bacteria. Firstly, certain nutrients, select for specific bacteria. what is more, bacteria display different morphology and colouring, depending on the nutrients present in the media. An example, would be that on Luria broth Agar, E. coli appears a pale cream colour, where as on EMB agar, the same E. coli will appear metallic green. 

 

If you are adamant about identifying which bacteria is growing on your feed, then it would be best to do 16S RNA sequence ID (which may be pricey) there is also the API test (which works specifically with food testing. The API test uses a range different tests, including motility, gelatin digestion, as well as the use of certain carbon sources.

 

My take on it, is that it could be any opportunistic bacteria, looking for a easy food source... Even food with preservatives tend to spoil, especially if the conditions are suitable. 

[Jonathan21700]

Really strange looking.

Edited by Jonathan21700, March 16 2015 - 12:09 PM.