Long-term anhydrobiosis in two taxa of moss dwelling Eutardigrada (Tardigrada) desiccated for 12 and 15 years, respectively

Abstract

Full understanding of long-term cryptobiosis, including anhydrobiosis, could contribute to many areas, from biology and biotechnology to industry, pharmacy and medicine. Anhydrobiosis has been reported in a few groups of micrometazoans such as nematodes, tardigrades and rotifers. Here we present data on the revival of two eutardigrade species – Macrobiotus sp. from the hufelandi group and Milnesium argentinum – extracted from dried moss samples collected 15 and 12 years ago in Kyrgyz Republic and in Argentina, respectively. Macrobiotus specimens did not start to forage after revival and it is not clear whether the food was inadequate or the tardigrades were unable to achieve normal metabolic activity. Conversely, the Mil. argentinum specimen started to feed on rotifers and nematodes, and produced five eggs from which three hatchlings hatched. These two reports extend the known time spent by Eutardigrada in anhydrobiosis after which successful recovery is possible.

Keywords

• anhydrobiotic animals
• argentina, cryptobiosis
• extremophiles
• kyrgyz republic