Resistance to Extreme Stresses by a Newly Discovered Japanese Tardigrade Species, Macrobiotus kyoukenus (Eutardigrada, Macrobiotidae).

ABSTRACT: Tardigrades are small micrometazoans able to resist several environmental stresses in any stage of their life cycle. An integrated analysis of tardigrade specimens collected in Tsukuba (Japan) revealed a peculiar morphology and a new sensory field in the cloaca. Molecular taxonomy and phylogenetic analysis on different genes (COI, ITS2, 18S and 28S) confirmed that this population is a new species, Macrobiotus kyoukenus sp. nov., belonging to the widespread Macrobiotus hufelandi group. The stress resistance capabilities of M. kyoukenus sp. nov. have been tested by submitting animals to extreme desiccation, rapid freezing, and high levels of ultraviolet radiations (UVB and UVC). Animals were able to survive desiccation (survivorship 95.71 ± 7.07%) and freezing up to -80

SUBMITTER: Cesari M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9315711 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature