Tartigrade molting?

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Judge
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Joined: Sat Dec 18, 2021 2:36 pm

Tartigrade molting?

#1 Post by Judge » Mon Feb 27, 2023 1:31 am

This Tardigrade is from a week old sample. It's immobile and partly transparent. No movement Inside or out. Could it be a Tardigrade that has is shed it's skin or is in the process? 10X objective.
Thanks for info.
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shutterbug
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Location: Vienna, Austria

Re: Tartigrade molting?

#2 Post by shutterbug » Sun Mar 26, 2023 12:55 pm

In unfavourable condiitons, a tardigrade may chose to enter a sort of "sleep" or vegetative state to endure until conditions change. For example that may be due to its environment drying or - as I've seen once - in a low oxygen environment.
I've watched one for half an hour (or longer) in a water drop with a coverglass and its movements gradually slowed down. When I blew in some air from the side it quickly started to move again like before.

Or - it's dead.
Contrary to popular opinion a tardigrade is not immortal or able to live forever - they are a very hardy species and can endure a lot but they can still die from environmental impacts and other reasons, like any other microorganism.

Judge
Posts: 95
Joined: Sat Dec 18, 2021 2:36 pm

Re: Tartigrade molting?

#3 Post by Judge » Sat Apr 01, 2023 4:02 pm

Thanks, I'll try the air.

Jose Antonio Mena
Posts: 78
Joined: Sun Nov 27, 2022 7:03 pm
Location: Santander

Re: Tartigrade molting?

#4 Post by Jose Antonio Mena » Sat Apr 01, 2023 4:40 pm

Nice and complete page for tardigrades

https://www.baertierchen.de/main_engl.html

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