Tardigrada Collection

Picture No. 10851646
Freshwater TARDIGRADE - Water Bear / Tardigrada (Macrobiotus macronyx) Date:

Tardigrade or Water Bear
Water bear or tardigrade. Scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a water bear (Echiniscus sp.) walking over spagnum moss. Water bears live in damp habitats such as moss or lichen

Water bear, light micrograph C016 / 8581
Water bear, differential interference contrast (DIC) light micrograph. Water bears, or tardigrades, (phylum Tardigrada) are small, water-dwelling

False-coloured SEM (Scanning Electron Micrograph) of a Tardigrade (Tardigrada) amongst moss, from Peak District National Park, Derbyshire, UK. This tardigrade is approximately 0.1 millimetres long

Water bear, SEM C016 / 9084
Water bear (Echiniscus granulatus). Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) showing the underside of a water bear, or tardigrade (phylum Tardigrada)

Tardigrade or water bear egg SEM
Water bear (Macrobiotus sp.) egg, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). Water bears (or tardigrades) are tiny invertebrates that live in aquatic and semi-aquatic habitats such as lichen

Water bear, SEM C016 / 9085
Water bear (Echiniscus granulatus). Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) showing the underside of a water bear, or tardigrade (phylum Tardigrada)

Water bear, SEM C016 / 9083
Water bear (Echiniscus granulatus). Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the head of a water bear, or tardigrade (phylum Tardigrada)

Water bear, SEM C016 / 9086
Water bear (Echiniscus granulatus). Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a water bear, or tardigrade (phylum Tardigrada)

Water bear, SEM C016 / 9082
Water bear (Echiniscus granulatus). Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the head of a water bear, or tardigrade (phylum Tardigrada)

Water bear, SEM C016 / 9087
Water bear (Echiniscus granulatus). Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a water bear, or tardigrade (phylum Tardigrada)

Microscopic Water-bear Freshwater arthropod
JC-339 Freshwater TARDIGRADE - Water Bear / Tardigrada John Clegg Microscopic Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way

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Tardigrada, commonly known as water bears or moss piglets, are microscopic creatures that have captured the fascination of scientists and nature enthusiasts alike. Picture No. 10851646 showcases these incredible organisms in all their glory. Under a light micrograph (C016 / 8581), we witness the intricate details of a water bear's body. These tiny beings, measuring only about 0. 1 millimeters long, possess an astonishing resilience to extreme conditions that would be fatal for most other life forms. In this false-colored SEM (Scanning Electron Micrograph) image taken from the Peak District National Park in Derbyshire, UK, we see a tardigrade nestled amongst moss. The digital composite highlights its unique features and emphasizes its minuscule size against the backdrop of nature's beauty. The SEM images further reveal the remarkable characteristics of these extraordinary creatures. From C016 / 9084 to C016 / 9086 and C016 / 9082 to C016 / 9083, each photograph showcases different angles and perspectives of water bears' anatomy under high magnification. One captivating aspect is their ability to enter cryptobiosis—a state where they can survive extreme temperatures, radiation exposure, dehydration or even being frozen for extended periods. This exceptional adaptation has earned them the title "the toughest animals on Earth. " Not only do tardigrades exhibit incredible survival skills but they also reproduce through eggs (as seen in Tardigrade or Water Bear egg SEM). Their reproductive process adds another layer of intrigue to their already fascinating existence. As we delve into these mesmerizing images and explore the hidden world within our own backyard—the moss-covered landscapes—we come face-to-face with one of nature's greatest marvels: Tardigrada - resilient survivors thriving amidst adversity.