The Insane Biology of: The Tardigrade

Tardigrades undergo cryptobiosis, entering a “tun state” where metabolism shuts down to 0.01% of normal rate, losing up to 98% of their body water while remaining viable for decades.

Tardigrades possess Dsup (damage suppressor) genes encoding proteins that form protective “bubble wrap” around DNA, shielding it from radiation—a capability scientists have successfully transferred to human cells.

Marine heterotardigrades display flamboyant sensory structures absent in terrestrial species, including inflatable balloon tails, flag pole appendages, and suction cup toes—many with functions still unknown to science.

Tardigrades could potentially colonize Mars as pioneer species, living in genetically enhanced moss that tolerates Martian conditions—cold, radiation-exposed, and extremely dry environments tardigrades manage easily.

Ancient marine tardigrades evolved osmobiosis—a tun state response to changing salinity—which accidentally conferred resistance to complete dehydration, extreme temperatures, and radiation, enabling global colonization.

Tardigrades possess a remarkably effective body plan that has remained virtually unchanged for 90 million years, with segmented bodies, piercing stylets, and up to 40,000 cells that never divide after maturity.

Tardigrade eggs express multiple R-opsins typically associated with vision, despite adults having only basic light-detecting eyes with a handful of visual cells—a phenomenon with no current scientific explanation.

Tardigrades, microscopic eight-legged animals measuring 100-500 microns, demonstrate extraordinary resilience to environmental extremes that make scientists question the boundaries between alive and dead.

Predatory tardigrades consume entire living organisms including rotifers, nematodes, and even other tardigrades, significantly impacting micro-animal biodiversity and potentially benefiting soil quality through pest control.

In 2007, 3,000 dehydrated tardigrades from two species rode the European Space Agency’s Photon M3 mission into low Earth orbit, becoming the first animals to survive combined space vacuum, cosmic radiation, and UV exposure.

Tardigrades use eight stubby legs to walk through microscopic environments, employing a gait pattern remarkably similar to insects despite being 500,000 times smaller and separated by 20 million years of evolution.