Life Sciences Commons^™

Do Antartctic Tardigrades Survive Better When They Are Wet Or Dry When Exposed To Freese/Thaw Cycling?, Katelyn Hendricks, Byron Adams

Journal of Undergraduate Research

: Substantial amounts of evidence prove that there are drastic climate changes taking place everywhere on Earth. Antarctica, the home to microscopic tardigrades, or water bears, is no exception. Tardigrades have distinct roles and adaptations that allow them to survive the harsh climates of their environment. Because of climate change in Antarctica, there is a clear increase in the presence of liquid water and freeze/thaw cycles. This correlation raises the question of whether or not the increase of freeze/thaw cycles in Antarctica could result in increased tardigrade mortality. Normally, tardigrades experience the majority of their freeze-thaw cycles in a desiccated …