Hey there, have you ever wondered those small creatures that we can't see but live in everywhere. In this article we are going to talk about one of this creature and It is kinda cute let's explore together. What is Tardigrade?
What is a Tardigrade?
Tardigrades are small, water-dwelling invertebrates with more than 1,100 known species. They are closely related to arthropods and nematodes, and they are mostly about 1 mm or less in size. Despite their minuscule appearance, these microorganisms have captured the attention of scientists worldwide due to their extraordinary survival abilities.
10 Interesting Species Belong to Tardigrade Family
Tardigrade is a big family they have many alt species but we will explain to you 10 Interesting Tardigrade species
Milnesium tardigradum: This species is commonly found in various habitats, including soil and moss. It is known for its resistance to desiccation and radiation.
Hypsibius dujardini: This species is one of the most studied tardigrades in scientific research due to its ability to survive in extreme conditions, such as high pressure and radiation.
Macrobiotus sapiens: Discovered in Japan, this species is known for its large size compared to other tardigrades.
Richtersius coronifer: Found in Antarctica, this species is well-adapted to the cold and can withstand freezing temperatures.
Echiniscoides sigismundi: This marine tardigrade can be found in intertidal zones and is known for its remarkable adaptations to saline environments.
Ramazzottius varieornatus: This species is known for its high resistance to desiccation and has been used in space experiments to study the effects of radiation and microgravity.
Dactylobiotus parthenogeneticus: This species reproduces exclusively through parthenogenesis, a form of asexual reproduction.
Pseudechiniscus suillus: This tardigrade species is known for its ability to survive in habitats with high levels of heavy metal pollution.
Milnesium tardigradum var. tardi: This subspecies is known for its ability to withstand extremely low temperatures, making it an important subject of study in cryobiology.
Water Bear (Macrobiotus hufelandi): This is one of the most well-known tardigrade species, often used as a model organism in scientific research due to its ability to survive various extreme conditions.
What is a tardigrade’s survival mechanism?
One of the most astonishing aspects of tardigrades is their ability to endure extreme conditions that would be deadly to most other organisms. When faced with unfavorable environments, tardigrades enter a state called "tun," in which their body dries out, and their metabolism drops to an astonishing 0.01 percent of its normal rate. In this suspended animation, tardigrades can stay for decades, effectively surviving harsh conditions.
Resurrection from the Brink
Remarkably, tardigrades can come back to life after enduring extreme conditions in their tun state. Research has shown that they can be revived even after exposure to temperatures as low as −272 °C (−458 °F) or being kept in liquid air at −190 °C (−310 °F) for 21 months. This astonishing ability to resurrect from seemingly lifeless states has captivated scientists and led to further research on their unique biology.
What kills tardigrades?
Where do tardigrades live?
The most remarkable feature of the tardigrades is their ability to live almost everywhere in Earth even space so what are those conditions and places.
Extreme Conditions
High Temperatures: Tardigrades can tolerate temperatures close to absolute zero (−273.15°C or −459.67°F) and also endure temperatures exceeding 150°C (302°F). They can survive exposure to hot springs, volcanic vents, and even survive being heated to temperatures as high as 151°C (304°F) for a short time.
Low Temperatures: Tardigrades can withstand freezing temperatures and can survive in the cold environments of polar regions, glaciers, and high altitudes.
Pressure: Tardigrades can endure extremely high pressure levels, similar to those found in the deepest parts of the ocean trenches.
Radiation: Tardigrades can withstand high levels of ionizing radiation, including X-rays and gamma rays. They have survived exposure to radiation doses that are lethal to most other organisms.
Vacuum of Space: Tardigrades have been exposed to the vacuum of space and harsh cosmic radiation while in the tun state and have demonstrated the ability to survive and return to life upon reentry into Earth's atmosphere.
Dehydration: When faced with desiccation, tardigrades enter a "tun" state, in which they lose almost all their water content and can survive without water for extended periods, even years.
Toxic Environments: Tardigrades can tolerate high levels of toxins and pollutants that would be harmful to other organisms.
Extreme Places
Polar Regions: Tardigrades are found in both the Arctic and Antarctic regions, where they can endure extremely cold temperatures and survive in ice and snow.
Hot Springs: They inhabit hot springs, where the water temperatures can be close to boiling.
Volcanic Vents: Tardigrades have been discovered in areas near volcanic vents on the ocean floor, where the water can reach high temperatures due to geothermal activity.
High Altitudes: They are found at high altitudes in mountainous regions, where conditions can be harsh and oxygen levels are lower.
Deep Oceans: Tardigrades have been found in the deep ocean, including ocean trenches where the pressure is immense.
Glaciers: They can be found in glaciers, where temperatures are freezing and conditions are challenging.
Deserts: Tardigrades have been discovered in deserts, where they can survive extreme heat and desiccation (dehydration).
Space: Some tardigrades have been sent into space as part of scientific experiments and have shown the ability to survive the vacuum and radiation of space.
16 Facts about Tardigrades
Tardigrades, researchers have discovered throughout the years, their curious appearance is only just the beginning. Here are a few of our favourite facts about one of the Earth’s most intriguing animals.
1. Fascinatingly Slow Creatures
The term "Tardigrade" means "slow paced" and was originally used to describe tortoises. These microscopic animals are also known as water bears or moss piglets.
2. Tiny Yet Widespread
Despite their small size, tardigrades are only about 0.5mm long, they can be found in diverse environments all around the world.
3. Extreme Survivors
Tardigrades possess incredible resilience and can withstand extreme temperatures ranging from -272.15°C to 150°C.
4. Varied Diet
Tardigrades are versatile eaters; they consume bacteria, plants, and even other tardigrades by piercing individual cells and extracting nutrients.
5. Abundant Diversity
There are around 1,300 known species of tardigrades, belonging to the group of animals called ecdysozoa, which includes insects, crustaceans, and nematodes.
6. Pressure-Proof
Tardigrades can endure immense pressure, up to six times that of the ocean floor, and can even survive being boiled in alcohol.
7. Incredible Dehydration Survival
If a tardigrade loses up to 99% of its water content, it can enter a near-suspended state called a "tun" and stay in this state for several years.
8. Hitchhikers on the Wind
Tuns can be carried by the wind and, if landing in a suitable environment, can reproduce asexually, forming new colonies.
9. Surviving in Space
In an experiment, dehydrated tardigrades exposed to the vacuum of space returned to Earth, with over two-thirds successfully revived.
10. Glass-Like Protection
Tardigrades employ a unique protein called "tardigrade-specific intrinsically disordered protein" to replace water in their cells, forming a glass-like substance that keeps their cell structures intact during dehydration.
11. Future of Food
Tardigrade genes for producing protective proteins have been used to encode yeast and bacteria, opening possibilities for drought-resistant crops and medications not requiring refrigeration.
12. Unusual Leg Anatomy
Tardigrades have eight legs, and the hind pair is attached backward, aiding in grasping objects.
13. Ancient Survivors
Tardigrades have lived through all of the Earth's five major extinction events.
14. Moon-Bound Tardigrades
During a lunar mission, a colony of tardigrades was on board an Israeli lunar lander that crashed on the Moon's surface, raising the possibility of their survival.
15. Glowing Shield
A new species of tardigrade called Paramacrobiotus sp. has the extraordinary ability to protect itself from harmful UV radiation by forming a glowing shield.
16. Not Invincible
While tardigrades are incredibly resilient, they do have a lifespan and typically live from 3 to 30 months.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Tardigrades, or water bears, are exceptional microorganisms that demonstrate remarkable survival skills. Their ability to endure extreme environments, enter suspended animation, and come back to life has baffled scientists and sparked curiosity about the mysteries of the natural world. These tiny creatures continue to be a source of inspiration, revealing nature's astonishing adaptability and resilience.