tardigrade
1
9.9
- noun
- /ˈtɑrdɪˌɡreɪd/
- Specialized
- Scientists study tardigrades to understand their unique ability to withstand harsh environments.
- rotifers and tardigrades
- Tardigrades and nematodes
- protozoa and tardigrades
Examples
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Most individuals in such a habitat are physiologically active, and other soil invertebrates, protozoa, tardigrades, and rotifers are present.
Academic text (1999) -
I'm a tardigrade, the most rugged micro animal in the universe.
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And at first glance, tardigrades appear to fit this mold, too.
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The harsh conditions limit stream fauna to nematodes, rotifers, and tardigrades.
Academic text (1999) -
A tardigrade, often called a water bear, can survive extreme temperatures and radiation.
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Under a microscope, a tardigrade looks like a tiny, armored creature moving in the water.
How Resilient
Surface Forms
Etymology
Tardigrade comes from Latin parts tardus 'slow' and gradus 'step', so it literally means 'slow step'. Think of tardy and gradual to remember it: a tardigrade is a tiny 'slow walker' you can see under a microscope, which helps you picture this small water animal famous for surviving very harsh places.