Tardigrade, (phylum Tardigrada), also called water bear or moss piglet, any of more than 1,100 species of free-living tiny invertebrates belonging to the phylum Tardigrada. They are considered to be close relatives of arthropods (e.g., insects, crustaceans). Tardigrades are mostly about 1 mm (0.04 inch) or less in size. They live in a variety of habitats worldwide: in damp moss, on flowering plants, in sand, in fresh water, and in the sea. In adapting to this wide range of external conditions, a large number of genera and species have evolved.

tardigrade; water bear A scanning electron micrograph of a tardigrade, or water bear. Tardigrades are invertebrates that belong to the animal phylum Tardigrada. © Science Faction Images—SuperStock/age fotostock

Top Questions What is a tardigrade? Tardigrades are invertebrates belonging to the phylum Tardigrada. They are related to arthropods (e.g., crustaceans and insects) and nematodes (i.e., roundworms). Also known as water bears, tardigrades are known for their appearance and their ability to survive in extreme environments. What is a tardigrade’s survival mechanism? Tardigrades can survive extreme conditions by going into a “tun” state, in which their body dries out and their metabolism drops to as little as 0.01 percent of its normal rate. When conditions return to normal, the tardigrade revives itself. A tardigrade can stay in a tun state for decades. What kills tardigrades? Research shows that tardigrades can be killed by exposure to hot water for an extended period of time. One study showed that one hour of exposure to water at 82.7 °C (180.9 °F) can kill a tardigrade in its “tun” state, where it goes into suspended animation and becomes hard to destroy. Where do tardigrades live? Tardigrades can be found in moist habitats, such as damp moss or underwater sediment. Tardigrades exist all over the world because of their ability to withstand extreme conditions.

Tardigrades have a well-developed head region and a short body composed of four fused segments, with each segment bearing a pair of short, stout, unjointed limbs generally terminated by several sharp claws. The animals have no known specialized organs of circulation or respiration; the tardigrade’s body cavity (hemocoel) is filled with fluid that transports blood and oxygen (the latter of which diffuses through the animal’s integument and is stored in cells within the hemocoel). The alimentary canal traverses the body from end to end. Most plant-eating tardigrades feed by piercing individual plant cells with their stylets (spearlike structures near the mouth) and then sucking out the cell contents. A few tardigrades are predatory carnivores. Tardigrades may reproduce sexually or through asexual reproduction (by means of parthenogenesis or through self-fertilization [hermaphroditism]). Eggs are discharged either into the posterior end of the alimentary canal or directly to the exterior through an opening in front of the anus.

The most remarkable feature of the tardigrades is their ability to withstand extremely low temperatures and desiccation (extreme drying). Under unfavourable conditions, they go into a state of suspended animation called the “tun” state—in which the body dries out and appears as a lifeless ball (or tun). In this state their metabolism may decline to as little as 0.01 percent of its normal rate. Tardigrades can survive as tuns for years, or even decades, to wait out dry conditions. In addition, specimens kept for eight days in a vacuum, transferred for three days into helium gas at room temperature, and then exposed for several hours to a temperature of −272 °C (−458 °F) came to life again when they were brought to normal room temperature. Sixty percent of specimens kept for 21 months in liquid air at a temperature of −190 °C (−310 °F) also revived. Tardigrades are easily distributed by wind and water while in the tun state.