In Invertebrate Zoology, we try to get at least an introduction to all branches in the evolution of animals.  The simplest known animal, Trichoplex adhaerens, is the sole member of the phylum Placozoa.  If we could get just one specimen, then, we would completely cover one limb of the animal tree.  But T. adhaerens is little more than a cluster of cells gliding over the biofilm in tropical lagoons.  Where could I possibly find a prepared slide of this mostly overlooked little creature.  Searches on Ebay and Amazon were unsuccessful.  But a web search led me to The Trichoplax Genome Project at the Yale Peabody Museum.  

Through the generosity of Professor Leo Buss and others in the project, Invertebrate Zoology is the proud host, of not preserved, but LIVE Trichoplax!  They sent us an entire kit--a bit like Sea Monkeys®, but somewhat flatter in personality as well as profile.  We are very excited (aren't you?)

You can read more about them here: Trichoplax on Wikipedia

and here is the video (magnified about a billion times) of their arrival into the lecture hall:  Trichoplax video (requires realPlayer®)

The placozoans are housed in Blake Hall.  I would be glad to show them to you.
~David

October 20, 2006:
The placozoan population is exploding!  Here is a  video of two... well, doing whatever it is that two placozoans do.  More to come.