New species of tardigrade aka space monsters

Yes, tardigrades are the new fashion accessory of the scientific community -mmkay. I mean look at the little cute, cuddly microscopic creatures. There are 1,200 species that have taken over our planet. It’s too late to run. False colored scanning electron microscopy (SEM) photo de Eye Of Science/Science Photo Library.

Or downright terrifying in the electron image by [ThermoFisher] FEI. Look at those gnashing lil teeth. Like miniature dinosaurs - except they can survive in space. Ooh. Dr Who needs an episode of monster tardigrades in space! But I digress...

What most of us haven’t seen widely spread in social media are their little eggs. These studded domes must have seriously hurt. So these eggs of many land-based tardigrades have bumps, dimes, spines, filaments. This is a false colored SEM image.

A recent paper found another species called Macrobiotus shonaicus; or Spike. These have party streamers (mom and dad had a fun day). https://www.sciencenews.org/article/new-species-tardigrade-lays-eggs-covered-doodads-and-streamers

Tardigrade egg under phase contrast light microscopy at 400x (a/b) and 1,000x ;c-f). The shape and smoothness appear different than others in its genus. And thus the scientists have discovered a new species.

Science for the win. I wonder how many species are in your water supply? Allons-y.