Hardy Remnant.

Tardigrada; Radiation pressure; Mass extinctions; Fossils; Pebbles

A recent fossil analysis suggests that tardigrades, also known as water bears, may have survived the deadliest mass extinction in Earth's history due to their incredible durability. Tardigrades are able to withstand extreme conditions through a process called cryptobiosis, in which they enter a suspended metabolic state. The study, which examined two tardigrade fossils preserved in amber, revealed previously unseen details about their claws, providing important information about their classification and evolutionary history. The researchers estimate that cryptobiosis appeared in tardigrades during the Carboniferous period, predating the Permian extinction. The scarcity of tardigrade fossils makes studying the evolution of cryptobiosis challenging, but the researchers hope that their findings will encourage further exploration in this area. [Extracted from the article]

Copyright of Scientific American is the property of Scientific American and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)